Cardiff City increases away ticket prices to pay for damage to Ashton Gate

Avon and Somerset Police has launched an investgation into the damage caused. Credit: Avon and Somerset Police

Cardiff City is increasing away ticket prices to pay for damage caused by misbehaving fans at their recent Sky Bet Championship game against Bristol City.

Photos and video posted on social media showed extensive damage to the toilet block in Ashton Gate’s away end following the match on Saturday 22 January.

Cardiff City, which has issued club bans to three people since the game, has offered to pay for the repairs and says it plans to pass the cost on to fans by increasing ticket booking fees for future away matches.

Credit: PA

A statement on the club's website said: “Cardiff City directors present on the day have apologised to Bristol City Football Club for the damage and have offered to pay for repairs to toilet blocks within the away end.

“By consequence of this significant outlay, it has been determined in consultation with Cardiff City supporter bodies that an additional £1 will be added to the booking fee of each away ticket sold for all away adult and young adult tickets (excluding OAP or juvenile tickets).

“This comes into effect for all away matches, beginning with our trip to Millwall on February 12.”

'Significant damage' caused at Ashton Gate after football match

Requesting further information from supporters on the events of January 22, Cardiff added: “We are currently in the process of working with South Wales Police and Avon & Somerset Police to hold the persons who caused the damage at Ashton Gate accountable for their reprehensible actions.

“Three persons have been issued club bans for their behaviour within the stadium bowl at Ashton Gate, and we await further information and guidance from the police with a view to taking further action if and where appropriate.”

'Stay away'

Cardiff also repeated the English Football League’s 'stay away' message to those determined to engage in anti-social behaviour at matches.

The EFL released a strongly-worded statement on Sunday after games at Crewe, Millwall and Wycombe became the latest to witness crowd disorder.

Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s football policing lead, had already called for an urgent meeting with the English game’s authorities to discuss the increase in disorder at matches.