Disabled season ticket prices were discriminatory at MK Dons

Ticket prices for MK Dons' disabled fanbase have increased because they were in breach of discriminatory laws against other fans.

Dons had previous charged disabled fans the same as a concession price. However that was found to be discriminating against those paying full price. Since the discovery, the club has worked alongside the EFL and Level Playing Field - the organisation representing disabled supporters in football - to realign the prices gradually, rather than in one fell swoop.

The first increase came into force at the beginning of the current season, with the second coming in for the 2020/21 season.

Explaining the decision, Dons' Executive Director Andrew Cullen said: "It's not a decision we would have taken ordinarily, but we were breaking the law. This brings us in line and limits us from the risk of prosecution.

"Season ticket prices for disabled supporters have gone up. Back in 2015, we had a legal challenge which was based on the premise that our pricing discriminated against all other adult prices. We were obviously surprised to hear that, so we took advice from the EFL and Level Playing Field – the organisation to represent disabled supporters in football. They considered our policy was discriminatory. We were advised to look at the prices and as soon as possible to realign it.

"In 2016, when we looked at prices for 17/18, we decided we would have to bring these changes into place. The MKDSA suggested doing it in stages, to give four years' notice for fans. We did that, but we felt it right to postpone that because of the relegation. So the first phase came in last season, and the second phase this season."