British football fans are "paying up to 10 times more for basic season tickets than their European counterparts," according to John Breslin of the London DAILY MIRROR. The cost of supporting many clubs in Scotland and England is "significantly more than it is in countries including Spain, Germany and France." Critics have accused football clubs of "pricing ordinary fans out of watching the game they love." Michael Brunskill of the Football Supporters Federation said, "People tell us they have given up their season ticket because it cost too much." While the price of high-end tickets was "broadly comparable" across Europe, Scottish and English clubs charge "considerably more for basic season tickets." For example, in Scotland an adult can buy a standard ticket for £230 ($355) at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, £263 ($406) at Rangers, £265 ($409) at St. Johnstone, £280 ($433) at Hearts and £299 ($462) at Dundee United. The five cheapest adult Premier League season tickets in England are sold by West Ham for £289 ($446), followed by Man City at £299, Aston Villa at £335 ($517), West Brom at £349 ($539) and Leicester at £395 ($610). The situation is in "stark contrast" to Spain, Germany and France. For Barcelona, home to Lionel Messi, adult fans can get a season ticket for just £103 ($159), while Bayern Munich -- where German Thomas Muller plays -- charges just £99 ($153). French club Bordeaux charges from £113 ($175) (DAILY MIRROR, 7/7).
