Why there are so many empty seats at Fulham vs Newcastle

Fulham and Newcastle United are going head-to-head in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup at Craven Cottage.

The all-Premier League affair however is spectated by a severally lesser crowd in west London, with fans staging a protest over ticket prices.

It's estimated that currently less than 50% of tickets have been sold in the home end for Saturday's clash, due to Fulham fans boycotting the game over £40 ticket costs.

Most of the anger is beginning to be directed at owner Shahid Khan, who took over at Craven Cottage back in 2013.

The American billionaire has overseen Marco Silva's side being promoted back to the Premier League and substantial renovations around the ground.

But given the game is set to be televised on terrestrial television, supporters feel the price of admission is still far too high.

The campaign has been given the #AffordableFulham and empty seats are expected to be seen around the stadium across the 90 minutes.

Fulham Supporters' Trust issued a message to fans earlier this week urging supporters to continue in their bid to make a stance against Khan.

"If you are choosing to not attend today's game versus Newcastle over your concerns about #AffordableFulham, please take five minutes to email us at [email protected] with your reasons so we can put your arguments to the Club during our next meeting," the statement read.

At the match, Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law wrote: "I'm at Craven Cottage tonight - looking like a lot of Fulham fans aren't thanks to ridiculous £40 adult ticket prices. Remember when all those clubs kept telling fans in covid how much they missed them and how great they were? Quite a few PL clubs seem to have forgotten..."

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Newcastle sold out their allocation in the capital as expected, with some 3800 away supporters expected to follow the Magpies.

Eddie Howe's side beat local rivals Sunderland to reach this stage of the competition earlier this month, with goals from Alexander Isak and an own goal from Dan Ballard.

Newcastle beat the Cottagers 3-0 at St. James' Park shortly before the recent winter break in the Premier League and will be hoping a lesser atmosphere can help them book a spot in tomorrow draw for the last 16.