Fury as Old Firm demand slice of ticket money from home clubs

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 11:21

SPL clubs were today up in arms over a bid by Celtic and Rangers to impose a levy on every ticket they sell to their fans for away matches – a move which could cost the rest of the league hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The Evening News has learned that the Old Firm have written to every club warning them they intend to grab five per cent of the ticket money as their reward for providing such a service.

The proposal is in direct contravention of SPL rules which state that clubs pass on every penny of the money raised from selling tickets for away matches to the home outfit concerned. Although the letters from Celtic and Rangers arrived separately, the News understands they were posted on the same day and were worded exactly the same, proof, some might say, of collusion between the Glasgow giants.

The move is being seen as a blatant attempt by the Old Firm to flex their collective financial muscle and is certain to be resisted by their fellow members of the SPL, each of whom would lose money should Celtic and Rangers be successful. Each club would be affected to a varying degree depending on the allocation of tickets given to the Glasgow sides but most would lose large five-figure sums based

on two visits from each over the course of a season.

While Celtic and Rangers would argue that their massive travelling supports help swell the coffers of their rivals and some clubs raise their prices for visits from the Old Firm, their move has dismayed opposition outfits who were not consulted in any way before the bombshell news was delivered.

The Old Firm have also proposed that other clubs keep five per cent of the money brought in from selling tickets to their fans for trips to Ibrox and Celtic Park but the allocations they receive are much smaller meaning they'd get less cash.

The News understands there has been no concerted opposition to the proposal as yet with individual clubs pondering as to how to respond to the shock plan which will be tested for the first time on the opening day of the new season when Rangers visit Falkirk.

It is believed it has already been pointed out that under SPL rules they cannot deduct any money but the News understands counter measures are being discussed if Celtic and Rangers cannot be persuaded to stick to current arrangements.

One suggestion is that the Old Firm themselves introduce a "handling charge" to cover the cost of providing ticket office services along the lines of the booking fee imposed when buying briefs for a concert.

An alternative may be that clubs will decide to sell direct to Celtic and Rangers fans rather than provide the clubs themselves with an allocation of tickets. Such a move would have serious implications for season ticket holders of the Old Firm who, while not guaranteed tickets for away matches, usually have their names entered into a ballot ensuring they can see at least a number of away games each season.

Selling direct would give Celtic and Rangers fans without season tickets a much greater chance of watching such matches but there is concern such a course of action might raise some safety issues in that present arrangements allow clubs to closely monitor to whom briefs are being sold.