Gor Mahia head coach Johnny McKinstry has called out Police FC for increasing the ticket prices in their forthcoming league game this weekend.
Police who will be hosting the game at their Police Sacco Stadium will be charging as high as sh 3000 for the game and McKinstry the move is with complete disregard to fans.
“As such, the decision by Kenya Police FC to increase ticket prices 8-fold when they host Gor Mahia this weekend, at a time when the cost of living is so high, is abhorrent, predatory, and with complete disregard to the most important stakeholders in the game,” he said.
Taking to social media, the Irishman has urged the club fans to support the club where they will be and promised to give his best in the game.
McKinstry’s Statement in Full
Football IS the Fans
When I was young, I went to watch my local football team with my uncle. In Ireland at the time for kids it was only £1 to attend. It was fantastic. Every week I got to be part of it. To be close to MY team. To feel the highs and the lows.
By the time I reached 16 and had to start paying £5 entry, I was already hooked. The game had become part of me. I could not imagine a week going by when I wouldn’t be there. The discussions and debates, the cheers and the tears. It was everything. And it still is. As we began to emerge from the Covid pandemic, we got to experience what football was like WITHOUT the fans.
Games played in empty stadiums. Fans watching at home on TV. It wasn’t the same. It didn’t feel right. If there are no fans, then what are we doing it for? Football belongs to the Fans. It has grown to be the biggest & most popular sport in the world not because of directors, coaches or players. They all come & go. It is because of the fans who are ever-present. Generation to Generation. They sustain us. They drive us on.
As such, the decision by Kenya Police FC to increase ticket prices 8-fold when they host Gor Mahia this weekend, at a time when the cost of living is so high, is abhorrent, predatory and with complete disregard to the most important stakeholders in the game. If they so wish, it is very simple to limit the capacity of a game without penalising the loyal fans who are the lifeblood of the game.
To put it in context. The lowest price ticket at Arsenal is £28.50. If they increased prices to £230 there would be global outrage! It is the responsibility of FKF and the Government of Kenya to protect the game of football, and the interests of its’ citizens respectively. Whilst it may be too late for this game, rules must be put in place to prevent such unfair & predatory pricing in the future.
If you arrived at the gas station tomorrow and they had tripled the price of fuel over night – something would be done about it to protect the public from such exploitation, and those responsible held to account. The same should be true of the cost to attend sporting events. Tomorrow, regardless of how many are in the stadium, we will give everything in pursuit of victory.
To our loyal Fans, I ask that you remain calm despite the most unfair treatment you are receiving. If you can afford to attend, we will be forever grateful for your support. If however the price is simply too much, as it will be for many of you – then support us from home. Watching on the TV, or following on the radio and online. We know you are with us. We are on this journey together. From the beginning until the very end.
I will finish by leaving you with the words of the legendary Sir Bobby Robson.” What is a club in any case?” I think he summed it up quite well. And to those in positions of authority in such matters. Do Better.
Football IS the Fans. And it always will be.
