Statement on play off ticket prices from Leeann Dempster

“Today we are announcing our ticket prices for the Premiership Play-off semi-final match at Easter Road Stadium against the winners of the quarter-final tie between Rangers and Queen of the South, due to be played on Saturday 23 May.

“Our position has been that clubs should have the flexibility to deal with season ticket holders as they think best. While we were given the opportunity last season to do this by the Board of the SPFL, our view has not prevailed this time.  “The debate has been ongoing since October, when the Board of the SPFL sought to introduce minimum pricing and to strengthen the rules to ensure that season tickets are not valid for play-off matches.

“I would have liked to be announcing that we were able to allow our season ticket holders in for free but we have been left in no doubt by the Board of the SPFL that to do so would be to breach the rules on differential pricing.

“We fully accept that the levy is intended to help fund clubs through relegation.  Our club was at the table when the SPFL was formed and the original rules agreed.  Our experience of the competition and the interaction and expectations of supporters has led us to the conclusion that collectively we need to re-evaluate the current rules, particularly in relation to season ticket holders.  This will help to avoid future conflict between clubs, their supporters and the league body.  We would like to positively contribute to that discussion.

“There is no deduction permitted for match operational costs therefore the Club has to pay the full costs of staging the match, and obviously the VAT element of the match receipts. At a time when we are seeking to build a squad for next season, we are in no position to lose money on a match.  The only way left open to us is to offer the match to supporters as inexpensively as we can, knowing that the price has to be open to all.

“””For that reason we are offering the tickets at £15 and £10 for concessions. This will allow us to meet the various obligations I have detailed, pay the 50% SPFL levy and any modest additional revenue we generate –given a good crowd – will go to Alan Stubbs to help fund our squad next season.

“The introduction of the play-offs is a good thing for Scottish football, but for us, the outcome regarding season tickets has been disappointing at a time when Scottish football needs to do more to promote the game.

“Play-off tickets are on sale to supporters, who are registered on the club’s database as of 2pm today. Our season ticket holders’ seats will be reserved until 5pm on Wednesday 13 May. Details on how to purchase are available on the Club website and ticket information for the away tie will also be announced shortly.

“A final word from Alan and the players. We all want to see Easter Road full on Saturday 23 May for a vital game for the Club. Please get behind the team as we have seen this season and as we know you can. We want as many Hibernian fans in the stadium as we can. Myself and the Board will make a call next Thursday 14 May based on the demand to that point to determine whether we will open up half of the South Stand to Hibs supporters. We want this to be the case, but can only do so if the demand is there from supporters.”