Supporters’ group says new attendance rules violate Equality Act
A group of Manchester City supporters has taken legal action against the club over a controversial new season-ticket policy, which mandates holders to attend at least 10 Premier League matches to retain their seats for the following season.
The group, known as the Trade Union Blues, has enlisted law firm Leigh Day to challenge what they describe as a system that “punishes people for being human”.
Under changes announced last month, fans are required to use their season ticket for 16 of City’s 19 home games, with at least 10 personally attended. Ticket sharing or resale was capped at six games per season, and there were no exemptions for cases such as disability, illness or caregiving responsibilities, which risks violating the UK’s Equality Act 2010.
The club intend to use the measures to address attendance rates for home games, with 8% of their 37,000 season-ticket holders typically absent per match. City’s rivals at the top of the table, Liverpool and Arsenal, also have attendance rules, but they don’t put a cap on how many games the season-ticket holder can share with friends or hand back to the club for resale.
“This policy doesn’t reward loyalty – it punishes people for being human,” said Trade Union Blues Secretary Chris Neville. “Illness, pregnancy, disability, caring responsibilities or working shifts should now cost you your season ticket.
“Many of our members have followed City through thick and thin and now face exclusion because of inflexible criteria that takes no account of individual circumstances.
“The club talks about inclusion and community, but this policy does the exact opposite – it’s divisive and discriminatory. We’re urging the club to sit down with fans, rethink this damaging policy, and create a fairer, more inclusive approach.”
Ryan Bradshaw, human rights partner at Leigh Day, said: “The updated policy introduced by Manchester City applies a blanket requirement for personal attendance which significantly disadvantages a number of protected groups under the Equality Act.
“There is no indication that any meaningful mitigation procedures are in place. It disadvantages those working class fans who are required to work shift patterns or precariously and may be unable to attend games for fear of losing their jobs.
“As a service provider, Manchester City is legally obliged to avoid discriminating against protected groups.”
