St Johnstone have confirmed ticket details for their upcoming Scottish Cup match with Rangers, despite furious supporter backlash.
An announcement on December 30 was met with a fierce response from Perth fans as the club confirmed that they would hand over three of McDiarmid Park's four stands to the visitors for the third-round contest.
Ticket prices were also set at £30 for adults and £20 for all concessions, further adding to the frustration.
Saints have now confirmed the inflated ticket prices will stand, while also introducing new details for young supporters.
A statement today read: "Tickets for our upcoming Scottish Cup tie against Rangers will be on sale at 5pm today, including 300 FREE tickets for Under 12 home supporters.
"Season Ticket holders will be given a priority window to purchase seats for this match from 5pm today until 12 noon on Monday 16th January.
"To purchase tickets, season ticket holders will need to log into the ticketing platform HERE using the email address used to purchase their season ticket and select their preferred seats from those available in the Main Stand.
"After this priority window has ended, sales will then be open to those who have a qualifying purchasing history and details of how these supporters can login will be given in due course.
"Please note that there will be NO GENERAL SALE of tickets for this fixture and all visiting support ticket sales are being handled by Rangers FC."
Ticket prices were confirmed as the following:
Adult - £30
Concession (Over 65s/U16s) - £20
U12 – FREE with a paying adult (300 applicable for home support)
U12 – FREE with a paying adult (300 applicable for away support)
*Ambulant Disabled/Wheelchair Adult - £15 (Carer goes free)
*Ambulant Disabled/Wheelchair Concession - £15 (Carer goes free)
St Johnstone fan group the Fair City Unity boycotted the first half of last week's Tayside derby against Dundee United in protest of the ticket decision.
In a further statement, the group have confirmed that they will continue to fight for fair and affordable ticket pricing.
They said: "On Monday, 2 January 2023 against Dundee United, Fair City Unity demonstrated against the recent announcement of ticket allocation and pricing ahead of the club's first home Scottish Cup fixture since winning the competition in 2021.
"The group was made aware of the club's decision prior to the announcement being made public, strongly rejecting the decision and highlighting the backlash envisaged from across the support which has come to fruition.
"For the first half of the match, the group participated in a silent protest along with leaving our traditional section empty, encouraging other fans who also congregate in the area to do likewise and support our action.
"With acknowledgement from the club, the group has in recent times supported the local community during the current cost of living crisis and will continue to do so.
"Therefore as a group we are disappointed in the £30 / £20 ticket pricing structure, and direct blame at both St Johnstone Football Club and Rangers Football Club who had an opportunity to make the match affordable for all fans, particularly due to the current cost of living crisis and also to compensate for the unwanted kick off time and TV coverage.
"The group will continue to fight for fair and affordable ticket pricing structures at all St Johnstone matches in order to make football affordable for all fans."
