Some feel that the rising costs could force fans to change the way that they watch football and stick with watching games at the local – others argue that most will find a way to pay the extra due to their love of the game.

What do you think? As fans take to the streets today, the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) has expressed the view that prices for away tickets should be capped at £20.

A spokesperson said: “Nine out of ten fans think football’s too expensive. Along with campaigns like the FSF’s Twenty’s Plenty for Away Tickets, this protest will demonstrate that fans can’t be squeezed forever.

“Premier League clubs are set to share a £5.5 billion media deal and the increase from the domestic rights alone is enough to knock £600 off every fan’s season ticket. Clubs are swimming in cash and it’s about time fans’ loyalty was rewarded with more affordable tickets.”

Supporters Direct released a statement backing demonstrators this morning. It read: “Supporters Direct supports the demonstration organised today by Spirit of Shankly, one of its member supporters’ trusts. We have been kept abreast of developments, and support their right to protest, and their view that ticket prices and the overall experience for the present-day football fan are issues that cannot simply be dismissed.

“Indeed we are keen to ensure that the growing anger, frustration and legitimate disenchantment being expressed through meetings, marches and other events, is harnessed to bring about lasting change in our national game. These actions are driven by a feeling that football is run increasingly for the benefit of a super-wealthy elite, and not the fans – who are the game’s lifeblood.

“We continue to press for change in the ownership and governance of football clubs so that the vital role that supporters play in the lives of their clubs is properly recognised.

“We call on all those concerned with the health of the sport, to continue to back the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, the Government and the opposition in their shared desire to see football reformed, or to introduce legislation to enforce change.

“Increased supporter involvement and ownership at clubs will provide a better structure for the game and a fairer deal for fans.”

He went on: “Time flies, it looks like it was a couple of days ago but it was nine years ago when I first became manager and since then a lot of things happened in my professional life.

“I have the same nature, I am the same person, I have the same heart and the same kind of emotions related to my passion for football and my job, but of course I am a different person.

“If I have to describe myself I would describe myself as a very happy person. It is the first time I arrive in a club where I already love the club, before I had to build an emotional relationship and I only came to love the club a little later.”

He reassured the press that he could achieve further success as the manager of Chelsea, explaining: “”My career has been built and raised on success. In every club I was able to achieve success and win trophies and leave different types of legacy. I have to believe in that.”

Inevitably the subject of a previous breakdown of relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich came up: “I read that I was fired and we had a complete breakdown in relationship, that was not true. At the time we thought it was the best for both of us.

“It was a decision that was difficult for both of us but a decision made by mutual agreement. There was never a break of the relationship and that is why it was possible for me to be here today.

“I am back because we feel we are in a moment of my professional life and in the case of the owner, also a moment in his career as owner, where I think we are in the best moments of our careers and ready to work together again and in much better conditions this time and to succeed in what this club wants, which is stability.

“One of points for me is my relationship with the owner has to be private. What is discussed has to be private. That privacy is crucial.

“The point is we all want the same. We are all in the same direction. It’s a moment where I think we have maturity, a very good feeling, same perspective for the future of the club.

“My area is football but more and more in football have to be deeply connected with all areas of the club. We have same vision and I’m more than happy to follow this philosophy. I am more than happy to be back.

“I didn’t choose a comfortable position because I’m returning to a house where I was happy and successful and where fans loved me. I’m coming from the opposite way. The expectations are higher because people know what I can deliver.

“I want to be respected for achievements in the past but I want to respected for what I achieve now.”

The 50-year-old highlighted the experience that he clearly feels will benefit Chelsea the second time around: “I was two years at Inter and three at Madrid, five years in a managerial career is a long time. Football is an industry where you learn a lot of yourself and learn a lot every day.

“My beginning in 2000, when I was managing for the first time I thought I knew everything but after 13 years you realise you know nothing and have to learn every day. My adventures around Europe were fantastic for me, different countries, different cultures, different media. It was fantastic.

“At 50 I think I am still very young as a manager and I think it was like the beginning of a new period. Do I have a different personality? No, but for sure I have a different approach and perspective.”

Writers at Footballers Direct have just heard that Mourinho has publicly criticised Ronaldo’s attitude on a Spanish TV show…

The former Real Madrid manager revealed that one of the reasons for his exit from the team was the breakdown of their relationship. He said of their fall out: “I had only one problem with him, very simple, very basic, which was when a coach criticises a player from a tactical viewpoint trying to improve what in my view could have been improved… he didn’t take it very well, because maybe he thinks he knows everything and the coach cannot help him to develop more.”

He went on to hint that he was the reason behind much of Ronaldo’s success in their three seasons together: “Cristiano has had three fantastic seasons with me, I don’t know if they were the best of his career because he had some fantastic moments with Manchester United,” he said.

“I think we created a fantastic situation for him tactically in which he could express all his potential and turn that into records and goals.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho returned to Chelsea this week just two days after leaving Real and he seems very happy to be back: “I feel myself not just a Chelsea manager, it’s the first time in my career that I arrive at a club that I already love. I am happy and proud because when you return to a place it’s for some reason, it’s not because you had good results in the past, not just because the fans like you, it’s because you left something here. I left something here.

“I think I arrive in my club, my Chelsea, in the best moment of my career, my stability as a manager, my stability as a person. I arrive in the best moment ready to give everything I have to try and make the club happy. I’m the same nature but much more mature with a different approach to things. Much more ready to establish myself in the club and stay for a long time.”

Chief executive of Chelsea, Ron Gourlay described Mourinho as the club’s “number one choice”, before adding: “He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again.”

Footballers Direct will be interested to see what changes he makes to the line up!

Footballers Direct has heard today that Sunday’s England versus Brazil game is back on despite a previous suspension due to concerns the stadium was unsafe.

The football game is rumoured to have been suspended on the grounds that loose flooring and debris left by builders could pose a safety threat to those present at the match. According to a report in The Telegraph Judge Adriana Costa dos Santos had concluded on Thursday that: “Despite numerous requests made by prosecutors, the [safety] reports were not fully delivered, [leaving us without] evidence that the stadium meets the minimum necessary to carry out games or events.”

She went on to say that there was “no way to allow the stadium to be reopened without proof that it has satisfactory safety and hygiene conditions.” However, this morning the suspension has been lifted and a “bureaucratic lapse” blamed for yesterday’s decision.

Staff at Footballers Direct have been left unsure as to what to make of all the contradictions but we had to chuckle at Gary Neville’s response when he first heard news of the confusion at a press conference: “We can play on the beach,” he responded jokingly. But, after being briefed on the matter he refused to discuss it further, simply saying: “We have no authority to talk about this. We are here to play.”

Well, whatever conclusions you come to it seems that the England team will get to play in the stadium after all, since today it is all change again and the game is back on. In a statement released by the Rio state government reassurances that the stadium is in fact now safe and fit for purpose have been made: “All safety requirements for the friendly between Brazil and England have been complied with,” it said.

What do you think?

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Writers at Footballers Direct were interested to read Csaba Abrahall’s Guardian report questioning the logic behind automatic local football fan rivalry this week.

In it, Abrahall describes the way his father first introduced him to the idea that “harbouring positive thoughts about your team’s local rivals” was not “the done thing” and explores ways in which this type of attitude can create unnecessary tensions between local fans. In his case, as a supporter of Ipswich Town, an automatic hatred of Norwich city was an inevitable part of his football ‘duty’ and a direct result of the expectations of others. However, he says that he was never really comfortable about the idea of expressing dislike for other teams for no logical reason:

“The truth I now acknowledge is that I still don’t dislike Norwich City, and a question that I didn’t ask my dad is demanding an answer – why should I? You should have a good reason to dislike something. Norwich is a nice place – both my daughters were born there and it has a lovely cathedral. The football team’s recent renaissance and dedication to entertaining football can only be admired. Neither the city nor the club offend me, so to develop a groundless aversion to them and let it dictate my behaviour would appear irrational and futile.”

Abrahall also highlights the rise of the internet as one of the reasons behind an increase in unfounded negativity between fans, pointing out that the anonymity it offers can be a bad thing. When fans form opinions about football direct from internet sources they are often related to what are known as ‘bragging rights’. He says:

“Bragging is neither attractive nor rewarding; bragging rights are little more than a licence to behave like an arse. It’s not something that appeals. I don’t mean to suggest that we should all get along. While participating in gloating seems pointless, it is understandable that football supporters should seek some kind of adversary. There’s a role for an antihero in any drama but automatically casting the team down the road in the part is the lazy option; we should be more discriminating.

“Thanks to the reported actions and words of their players, managers or supporters I have managed to build up genuine petty grievances against plenty of clubs without needing to invent one against my local rivals. And while some fans will have good reason to include their neighbours on their most-despised lists, there must surely be many more who, if they think about it, will have been more cheesed off by others.

“Dislike of our local rivals is an indoctrinated position that’s hard to shake. If, just for example, Norwich were to lose at home in the FA Cup to a non-League team at a time when I feared that they might have a squad decent enough to win something of consequence, I would be unable to suppress a chuckle, but there’s no malice there. I don’t really care. To do so would be an unnecessary strain on my blood pressure, and it’s already a bit high. I’ll reserve my spite for those that really merit it.”

Reactions to this report were very varied but many agreed that Abrahall has a point. One responded: “Agreed. My best mate and my Uncle are City fans, so if I’m declaring my pathological hatred for City and all City fans I’m actually slagging off family and friends in the process.” Another said: “I still remember me and my Dad jumping around the living room in 1988 or whenever it was, when Arsenal won the league at Anfield, because a London team had won the league. That memory always makes me smile, but it’s unthinkable now.” While ‘Birty’ reminded us: “I always see football rivalry as a pantomime villain style. When we’re in the ground I may sing about your sister or your players or the lack of studious work ethic your town is known for but in the end its all meant as a joke.”

What do you think about local rivalry in the game? Footballers Direct would love to hear your opinions…