Super rich football clubs are charging fans up to £400... to keep their seat empty.
Those worried about coronavirus are being asked for the deposits to guarantee their season tickets for next year.
The “save your seat” policy allows vulnerable supporters to wait until the 2021-22 campaign before returning to grounds.
Spurs and Crystal Palace are charging £200 while Arsenal and West Ham supporters pay up to £400.
Loyal fans are angry at having to pay hundreds of pounds in
advance and have called the policy a “kick in the teeth”.
Others fear they could be left out of pocket if they are still shielding this time next year.
Crystal Palace supporters are also upset at being told they will have to provide medical evidence that they are at risk.
Robert Sutherland, editor of the South London club’s FYP Fanzine, said: “We’e being given the unenviable choice of providing proof that we are shielding to be eligible for the £200 deposit, or finding £500 to pay for a season ticket on the provision that we might be able to attend games in the future. This has left a lot of fans – like me – with the feeling of having my loyalty questioned.”
Fans expressed fury on Twitter posting: “This is a massive opportunity to help fans in these challenging times.
“They’ve always been there when the club needed them!”
Premier League clubs are under huge pressure to welcome back spectators after missing out on months of revenue from ticket sales.
But plans to reopen grounds with a limited capacity are on hold amid a second wave of Covid cases.
Spurs said they have the backing of supporters’ groups and most of the payment will be covered by credit from matches fans could not attend during lockdown.
An Arsensal spokesman said: “Our season ticket holders have an option to take a season ticket holiday at no cost.”
West Ham and Crystal Palace were approached for comment.
