FANS of Liverpool Football Club are a loyal bunch. So it caused a stir when around one-quarter of the 44,000 people in Anfield stadium on February 6th left with 15 minutes of the game to go, in protest against high ticket prices. (Liverpool promptly lost their two-goal lead.) Many have since spoken out in support of the exodus. “Football is not an elite sport for VIPs like polo or even golf. Football is the people’s sport,” said Slaven Bilic, manager of West Ham United, a London club.

The protest scored its goal: Liverpool abandoned a plan to charge £77 ($110) for its most expensive tickets. It also spooked others. Sunderland said it would cut season-ticket prices; the Football Association reduced prices for the final rounds of the knockout FA Cup. Supporters’ clubs will gather on February 19th to decide whether to organise wider protests.