On its first matchday, the UEFA Champions League garnered a new controversy, and this time, it was none other than former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel who found himself in a debate with former Manchester City player Micah Richards.
At Etihad, Inter Milan held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw. With 22 shots attempted, City failed to deliver a killing blow.
Talking about the match, Peter Schmeichel made a few remarks that stirred debates and discussions off the pitch again.
Legendary Manchester United Goalkeeper criticised the dull atmosphere at Etihad.
‘It was absolutely dead’, claimed Schmeichel in a CBS post-match show.
Micah Richards, who was present in the studio, called out Schmeichel, saying that he was “disrespecting the club.”
Schmeichel vehemently defended, saying that Richards should leave the studio for once and experience what is outside. The brutal dig of Peter Schmeichel did not go unnoticed.
The Etihad atmosphere has always ignited discussions, and Peter Schmeichel is not the first one to add to the debate.
Peter Schmiechel’s remarks were seen as disrespectful by fans. Fans on X argued that the empty seats and dull atmosphere are the result of ticket price hikes and have nothing to do with the passion of fans for the club. Manchester City has increased the ticket prices for Champions League home matches.
Last year, the ticket prices at Etihad for a group stage match were between £27.50 – £52.50. Manchester city’s official website showed the price of under 18 members as high as £45.00 and price for Family & South Stand Level 2 stood at £47.50 for adults. The highest ticket price was as high as £62.50.
The plight of city fans regarding the price hike was seen last season during Arsenal’s clash, where a banner from city fans slammed the prices. the banner read, “Record profits but record prices. Stop exploiting our loyalty.” The frustration seems to only build up going into the new season.
The official Manchester City Supporters Group of 1894, with MCFC supporting Foodbanks group, took the matter into their own hands and criticised the club hierarchy for undermining fans.
Both groups urged the club to freeze the season ticket prices; however, the club defended the rises last season, citing the growing costs of maintaining a world-class football team and investing in infrastructure and pointing to the need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and sustainability rules.
The ticket prices are not the only source of distress. Earlier in the summer, Man City communicated to its disabled supporters that for the current season and beyond, the fees for their parking spaces would increase, which only frustrated the fan base.
City is not the only team being questioned by fans for changes in ticket prices; enjoying their first campaign in the Champions League, Aston Villa is also under fire for hiking the ticket prices of Champions League tickets at Villa Park. Villa has priced the home game of the Champions League at £85, £94 and £97. Liverpool also increased ticket prices by two per cent for the 2024-2025 season.
Before the UCL clash against Inter Milan, 1000s of seats were empty at Etihad, and as it stands, both city fan groups are deciding on a staged walkout as a protest to highlight the discontent among fans.
Schmiechel’s accusation of Etihad Stadium is not new; previously, even Pep Guardiola had urged fans to be noisier and increase the pressure. In times when fans are being subjected to high prices and missing out on matches, Schmeichel seemed to have missed the point of empty seats, further adding to the agitation of fans.