'I'm probably plastic' – Ange Postecoglou responds to 'disrespectful' question about Tottenham fans
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has snapped at a journalist for calling tourist fans “plastic”.
Spurs He recently upset his followers by announcing a six percent increase in season ticket prices.
A journalist asked if North Londoners were targeting “tourists” and “plastic fans” who were willing to pay more money.
But Postecoglou He considered that opinion to be disrespectful.
“Look, that's really harsh and I'll tell you why,” the Australian responded.
“Because I'm probably plastic and a tourist because I come from the other side of the world and I'm really passionate about football and if I could have access to watch a Premier League game, that would mean the world to me.
“So labeling people as plastic or as tourists, I don't think is fair just because people live on the other side of the world. This football club has fans all over the world, it has fans all over the UK who don't always get access to games from the people who live here.
“And I think we should always have the ability to accommodate them and give them that feeling. That doesn't make them any less passionate.
“I think it's really disrespectful to call fans who are willing to take the risk of traveling to the other side of the world plastic fans. You don't know how passionate they are about their football club.
“Maybe they've only started supporting him in the last couple of years, who knows? I don't know. But that doesn't diminish who they are, I don't think.”
Tottenham also scrapped concessions for new season ticket holders aged 65 and over, citing a rise in matchday costs and highlighting that prices have only risen 1.5 per cent in the last five years.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust was “dismayed” by the move; Spurs have yet to deliver any significant silverware since 2008, despite a marked improvement under Postecoglou.
Asked if clubs face a “balancing act” between UK and overseas fans, the Spurs boss added: “Well, it's a balancing act only if the end goal is not to make grow your football club and I'm talking about every aspect.
“The reason we tour around the world is to take this team to places in the world where I know people are passionate.
“I know there are passionate Spurs fans in Australia, just as passionate as those here.
“They don't live here, they can't come to the games, they can't buy a season ticket. In fact, I've had friends in Australia who do buy season tickets and they can only come here a couple of times a year because they're that passionate.” are.
“As long as your overall goal is to grow your football club, I think you will find the balance you need.”
