Tottenham among three clubs opposed to ticket price reductions in Europe

Tottenham are believed to be among at least three clubs that were opposed to the reductions on the maximum ticket prices that home clubs can charge visiting fans in Europe.

That will dismay the Tottenham supporters who are already angry at the club’s decision to scrap senior season tickets from next year and who currently pay among the highest prices in the Premier League.

Uefa this week announced that the maximum ticket prices for away fans in this season’s Champions League will be €60 (£50), while clubs can charge visiting supporters a maximum of €40 in the Europa League, which Spurs are competing in. Europa Conference League away tickets have been capped at €20.

There will be a further reduction next season, when Champions League clubs will be able to charge away fans a maximum price of €50, with Europa League top prices falling to €35.

Telegraph Sport has been told that Tottenham were among at least three clubs to have raised objections to the reductions, although it is unclear whether they formally voted against or in favour of the change.

When contacted by Telegraph Sport on Tuesday, Tottenham chose not to comment on the issue and did not disclose how they voted. Uefa were also given the opportunity to comment.

Tottenham’s director of football administration and governance, Rebecca Caplehorn, is a member of the European Club Competitions Committee, which endorsed the reductions to the maximum ticket prices home clubs can charge.

Following last week’s draw, Tottenham will entertain Qarabag, Alkmaar, Roma and Elfsborg in this season’s Europa League with their fans facing expensive trips to Ferencvaros, Galatasaray, Rangers and Hoffenheim.

Club criticised for ‘penalising’ supporter loyalty

The Tottenham Supporters’ Trust launched a petition last month against the decision to scrap senior concession tickets from next year, which they have branded “disgraceful”. So far the petition has more than 2,000 signatures.

In a statement, the Trust said: “This misguided policy impacts the most loyal, long-term supporters, many of whom are on low, fixed incomes. It also sets a dangerous precedent in terms of other groups currently receiving concession season tickets, namely young adults and children.

“The club receives the bulk of its income from television broadcasting rights and has recently been granted permission to use the stadium for 30 non-football events so there should be no need to penalise fans financially in this way.”

Tottenham have also faced criticism from the Football Supporters’ Association, who posted a message on social media that said: “This is Spurs’ new policy for OAP ST holders: The older you get the more you pay! Unless eligible by 2024-25, you’ll never get an OAP ST discount. Ever. Doesn’t matter if you live until 100. Spurs are the 8th richest club in the world.”

Tottenham pointed to increased match-day costs and the price of utilities to justify ticket price increases and the scrapping of OAP concessions. The club said there had been only one price increase, of 1.5 per cent, for season tickets since the stadium opened five years ago. “Football is not immune to the rising costs of goods and services across the board and we continue to look at all options to minimise ticket price increases, while absorbing the vast majority of costs,” Spurs added in their statement at the time.