Man City update fans on season ticket payments and Real Madrid refunds

Manchester City have told season ticket holders that direct debit payments due this month will be taken as normal and refunds issued at a later date if any remaining Premier League games are cancelled or played behind closed doors.

Direct debits are due to be taken on April 1 or April 15 and City have e-mailed season ticket holders to confirm they will take payments as planned.

In the e-mail the club also updated supporters on the auto cup scheme tickets for the second leg of the Champions League tie with Real Madrid, confirming tickets will remain valid if the second leg is rescheduled and telling fans that if they cancel their ticket now they would "automatically be removed from the respective cup scheme".

The club had come in for criticism for a lack of communication over plans to continue taking direct debits as normal, but they e-mailed season ticket holders on Tuesday night to confirm their plans.

In the e-mail the club said: "Please note that we will continue to operate as usual at this time and take the final Direct Debit payment for Seasoncards on the 1st and 15th April. This will ensure that you are able to return to the stadium as soon as the season resumes or alternatively, will receive a pro-rata refund should matches not go ahead as planned.

"If we are advised of any change in approach from football's governing bodies, we will act accordingly to ensure that our supporters are not adversely affected. This means that you will receive a refund if matches cannot go ahead or they are played behind closed doors."

City still have six Premier League games left to play at the Etihad this season, but with the Premier League season still suspended it is unclear when those games will be scheduled for and if supporters will be allowed entrance, given the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

The second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid was postponed when the Spanish giants went into quarantine, with a member of their basketball team testing positive for COVID-19.

Since then UEFA have suspended the Champions League and Europa League, but City have told supporters their auto cup scheme tickets for the second leg, for which payment has already been taken, will remain valid and warned that anybody asking for a refund now would be removed from the scheme for that competition.

"All tickets remain valid for rescheduled matches, however, should you cancel your ticket now you would automatically be removed from the respective Cup Scheme.

"Keeping your ticket ensures that you can maintain your Cup Scheme membership and secures your priority for future matches that you are able to attend, should we progress through the competitions.

"Should the Cup matches not go ahead as planned, you will receive a full refund and will be allocated the ticket points applicable for joining the respective Cup Scheme."

Finally, on the subject of season ticket renewals, City said: "Although it is likely the renewal period will be delayed due to the ongoing Premier League postponement, this remains under review, and we will share more information as soon as we are able to do so."