Manchester City supporters have come together to launch a crowdfunding campaign in response to the club’s recent decision to impose parking charges on disabled fans.
This move, announced just days before the start of the 2024/25 season, has sparked outrage among the fanbase and disability rights advocates.
The Manchester City Disabled Supporters Association (MCDSA) was shocked to learn that the club would begin charging £6 per match for blue badge parking spaces at the Etihad Stadium, a service that had been free for 21 years. This charge is expected to rise to £12 for the 2025/26 season.
In response, various fan groups including the 1894 group, the club’s Fan Advisory Board ‘City Matters’, their Official Supporters Club, Solid Citizens, and MCFC Fans Foodbank Support have joined forces to challenge this 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 with these unexpected costs.
The fund, managed by the MCDSA, aims to reimburse supporters who are financially impacted by what some are calling a ‘disability tax’.
Within 24 hours of its launch on Tuesday September 3, 2024, the fundraiser had already collected over £1,300, surpassing half of its initial £2,160 target (the sum of money the club will gain per matchday from selling 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 fundraiser GoFundMe link is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-fundraiser-in-support-of-disabled-blues
Howard Cohen, Chair of MCDSA, said: “This week has seen the spectacular events of the Paralympic Games in Paris, with a celebration of inclusion and diversity. The world is watching, as disabled people take centre stage.
“Sadly, it pains us, as loyal Manchester City fans, to point out that our club remains unmoved and continues to penalise its own disabled supporters for their need to park cars near 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 game.”
Level Playing Field added: “Parking is a vital access requirement for many disabled fans, which all clubs and venues should be conscious of when looking to provide an accessible matchday experience.
“In any decisions on pricing, the charity would advise additional disability-related costs to attending live sport, as well as the higher likelihood of disabled people in the UK to have a lower income, are factored in.”
The organisers are calling on the club to reverse their decision, and urging Manchester City fans to share the campaign and contribute to the fund if they are able.
They emphasise that this issue extends beyond disabled parking and could potentially affect other matchday concessions in the future, as seen at West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.