Thursday 22 March 2018 13:28, UK
Fans groups from the four FA Cup semi-finalists have criticised the Football Association for increasing ticket prices.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Southampton and Tottenham supporters are accusing the governing body of "opportunistic exploitation of fan loyalty" with ticket prices that are "10 times the rate of inflation".
The cheapest ticket for the semi-finals remains at £30 but Category A, B and C tickets have all increased.
The most expensive ticket has risen from £60 to £80 for the semi-finals and from £115 to £145 for the final on May 19.
If you're buying a ticket for the semi-final or the final you are directly investing in the future of the game in this country.
In a statement, the Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trusts, and Southampton fans groups said: "Supporters of all four clubs have already spent a fortune following their teams from round three onwards. Our reward for reaching the last four is price rises 10 times the rate of inflation.
"The FA has taken this decision at a time when, by contrast, the Premier League has reduced the cost of away tickets to a maximum of £30.
"Freezing the lowest ticket price category is a token gesture that will benefit only a small minority of supporters.
"These price increases further illustrate the longstanding issue we have with the FA as both the regulator of the game as well as the worst offender when it comes to excessive ticket prices for fans. A concession discount of just £10 further compounds the issue.
"The price of football at the top level is already extortionate. This latest decision is nothing more than opportunistic exploitation of fan loyalty.
"We expect better from a body that claims to be the guardian of the game, especially in the oldest and most famous cup competition in world football."
Andy Ambler, the FA's director of professional game relations, defended the price increases.
"It's always important to remember that the FA is a not-for-profit organisation where every pound and penny of profit is reinvested back into every level of football in England," he said.
"If you're buying a ticket for the semi-final or the final you are directly investing in the future of the game in this country."
