St Johnstone have released a statement in response to fan outrage over the controversial Scottish Cup tie against Rangers.
An update shared on the club website cited a "huge amount of negativity and hostility" from "valued fans" over the upcoming McDiarmid Park encounter.
The Perth club had come under fire from supporters after tickets were priced at £30 for adults with Rangers handed a three-stand allocation for the match.
The move means hundreds of season ticket holders will be moved to accommodate the increased away allocation.
Adults are being charged £30 for the match, while concessions are priced at £20. St Johnstone have since announced that 600 U12s will be given free access to the match, if accompanied by a paying adult.
A section of St Johnstone supporters complained to the club over the decision and were emailed back correspondence citing VAR and policing costs among reasons for the inflated entry fee and limited home tickets.
The club could see a record-low number of home supporters at the cup tie on Saturday with a number of supporters set to boycott the match over the club decisions.
A banner emerged yesterday at the club stadium with the words "Silence is talking" taking aim at the lack of public communication over the fan outrage.
Now, St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown has released a statement on the matter and insisted the decisions were taken "with the best interests of the club at heart".
However, the update does accept the decision of fans who choose not to attend the match on Saturday as a section read: "...we totally understand the frustration our supporters feel and their level of disappointment."
The statement also admits "certain criticisms levelled against the decisions have merit" with the club vowing to take feedback into consideration going forward.
A statement signed by the club chairman read: "The seating arrangements and pricing for the forthcoming Scottish Cup tie against Rangers has been met with a huge amount of negativity and hostility from a number of our valued fans.
"The Club has endeavoured to respond to the various communications sent to the Club both by way of email and telephone over the last fortnight, and the Club is aware of the views of various sections of fans both from Social Media activity and Press reports.
"The decisions made in respect of this Cup tie were taken with the best interests of the Club at heart.
"However, we totally understand the frustration our supporters feel and their level of disappointment.
"On reflection, the Club accepts that certain criticisms levelled against the decisions have merit and going forward the Club will take this feedback into account in considering both pricing and seating arrangements in future fixtures. Our supporters can be absolutely assured of this.
"Whilst we hope to see as many of our supporters as possible inside McDiarmid Park on Saturday to support Callum and the players in this important Cup tie against Rangers, we understand and respect our supporters who choose not to attend on this occasion."
Fan group the Fair City Unity took part in a silent protest against the announcement during Saints' home match with Dundee United.
And in a further statement, the group confirmed they would 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."
