Manchester City fans have joined forces to launch a crowdfunding campaign in response to the club’s recent decision to impose parking charges on disabled fans.
The move, announced just days before the start of the 2024/25 season, has sparked outrage among fans and disability rights activists.
Manchester City Disabled Supporters Association (MCDSA) was shocked to learn that the club would begin charging £6 per game for disabled parking spaces at the Etihad Stadium, a service that had been free for 21 years. This fee is expected to rise to £12 for the 2025/26 season.
In response, several fan groups, including the 1894 group, the club’s supporters advisory board ‘City Matters’, its official supporters’ club, Solid Citizens and MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, have joined forces to challenge the decision.
The campaign has also gained support from Level Playing Field, a national charity for disabled sports fans, and fan groups from other Premier League clubs.
A crowdfunding initiative has been launched to support disabled fans who may struggle to meet these unexpected costs.
The fund, administered by the MCDSA, aims to reimburse supporters who are financially affected by what some call a “disability tax.”
Within 24 hours of its launch on Tuesday 3 September 2024, the fundraiser had already raised over £1,300, surpassing half of its initial target of £2,160 (the sum of money the club will earn per match day from the sale of its 360 blue badge parking spaces).
The MCDSA will oversee the distribution of funds to ensure transparency and proper allocation to those most in need and affected by these charges. The GoFundMe link for the fundraiser is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-fundraiser-in-support-of-disabled-blues
Howard Cohen, President of the MCDSA, said: “This week we have seen the spectacular events of the Paralympic Games in Paris, with a celebration of inclusion and diversity. The world is watching as people with disabilities take centre stage.
“Sadly, it pains us, as loyal Manchester City supporters, to note that our club remains passive and continues to penalise its own disabled supporters for their need to park their cars close to the stadium in order to have the opportunity to share the experience of watching a match with those who have the flexibility to choose how they travel to a match.”
Level Playing Field added: “Parking is a vital access requirement for many disabled fans, something all clubs and venues need to consider when looking to provide an accessible matchday experience.
“In any pricing decisions, the charity would advise that account be taken of the additional disability-related costs of attending live sport, as well as the greater likelihood that disabled people in the UK will be on a lower income.”
Organisers are calling on the club to reverse its decision and urging Manchester City fans to share the campaign and contribute to the fund if they can.
They highlight that this problem extends beyond disabled parking and could potentially affect other matchday concessions in the future, as seen at West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.