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Premier League boss thinks football should be free for fans

The Hornets manager would love to see expensive match tickets slashed in price
The Hornets manager would love to see expensive match tickets slashed in price

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores does not understand why English football is so expensive and wants fans to be able to watch the game for free.

The cost of a Premier League ticket has come under scrutiny this week after Liverpool supporters staged a walk-out protest during their recent home game against Sunderland.

Liverpool have subsequently frozen match and season ticket prices for next season while Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners, issued an apology to their supporters in an open letter on Wednesday.

While Watford are yet to reveal their pricing structure beyond this term - their most expensive ticket for their next league match against Bournemouth is €53 - Flores wishes supporters didn't have to pay a single penny.

"I want to say that I would like the fans to pay as little as possible," said Flores, whose Watford side head to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"It is an amazing love that the fans feel for their team but unfortunately football is not cheap, it is expensive.

"Sometimes the situation of the families is not so good, so if you are talking with me about what I think, I would like them to go for free, and if not free, cheap.

Sanchez Florez contineud: "I don't understand why football is expensive for the people because football is great for the fans. But football is more and more of a business and it is difficult to think that it will ever be free."

Watford travel to Selhurst Park with just one victory from their last eight league matches following their 1-0 defeat against Tottenham last weekend.

Captain Troy Deeney (above) dropped to the bench at White Hart Lane in one of five changes Flores made from the side which drew 0-0 against Chelsea three days earlier.

"If I put one player on the bench I am not punishing the player, I am just thinking about the player and the team," Flores said.

"Since the draw at Chelsea on the Wednesday, Valon Behrami, Odion Ighalo and Deeney did not train any day.

"He is powerful, he is clever, and he understands English football 100 per cent" - Quique Sanchez Flores

"They had muscle problems and there were doubts about whether they are 100 per cent, so for me it is impossible to choose three players who are not 100 per cent because we have to play four more months this season.

"The recovery of the players is not the same - some need more recovery and more time - so we have to manage it in the best way possible."

Earlier this week Watford legend John Barnes called for Deeney to be handed his first England call-up.

And Flores agreed that Deeney could be the perfect partner for Leicester's Jamie Vardy or Tottenham star Harry Kane.

"Deeney has all the conditions to go to the national team," Flores added. "He is powerful, he is clever, and he understands English football 100 per cent.”

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