Manchester City Under Fire for Enforcing Parking Charges on Disabled Fans, With Crowdfunding Campaign Garnering Support

In a recent turn of events, Manchester City fans have rallied together to address a new issue at the Etihad Stadium.

For the first time this season, the club has introduced a parking fee for disabled supporters, charging £6 per match for a spot close to the stadium.

This decision has sparked significant backlash from the club’s supporter groups.

Outrage and Fundraising Efforts

The Premier League champions are reportedly generating around £2,160 per game from these new charges.

The club explains that the fee was implemented to manage the parking spaces more effectively after noticing an increase in unused reserved spots last season.

However, this justification hasn’t appeased the fans.

A GoFundMe page launched in response has already gathered over £1,500.

This money will be used to reimburse affected supporters ahead of City’s upcoming match against Brentford.

Supporters’ Reactions

Howard Cohen, chair of the Disabled Supporters’ Association, expressed frustration, stating, “It’s disheartening as loyal Manchester City fans to see our club insist on penalizing disabled supporters who need to park close to the stadium.”

Despite the fact that more than half of Premier League clubs charge for disabled parking, City argues that the funds will be reinvested in improving the stadium’s facilities.

Criticism and Call for Change

Mark Todd, the club’s former representative for disabled supporters, has condemned the decision, suggesting that those responsible should be embarrassed.

A spokesperson from the Football Supporters Association echoed this sentiment, highlighting the numerous challenges disabled fans face.

“It’s disappointing to see a club of Manchester City’s stature impose a parking fee for disabled supporters.

Clubs should strive to make matches as accessible as possible.

The growing support for this campaign sends a strong message to the club that they need to reconsider their stance.”

What’s Next?

As the situation unfolds, the pressure is mounting on Manchester City to address the concerns of its disabled supporters.

The growing funds and vocal support from fans indicate a clear demand for change, and the club will need to respond accordingly.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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