Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou snapped back at a reporter for calling touristy fans ‘plastic’.
Spurs recently upset supporters by announcing a six per cent rise in the price of season tickets.
One journalist asked whether the north Londonders were targeting ‘tourists’ and ‘plastic fans’ who were willing to pay more money.
But Postecoglou considered that view to be disrespectful.
“See that’s really harsh and I’ll tell you why,” the Australian responded.
“Because I’m probably plastic and tourist because I was coming from the other side of the world really passionate about football and if I could get access to see a Premier League game, that was the world to me.
“So, to label people plastic or tourist, I don’t think that’s fair just because people live on the other side of the world. This football club has supporters all over the world, has supporters all over the UK that don’t always get access to the games of people who live here.
“And I think we should always have the ability to accommodate them and give them that feeling. It doesn’t make them any less passionate.
“I think it’s really disrespectful to call fans who are willing to go to the expense of coming halfway around the world [as plastic fans]. You don’t know how passionate they are about their football club.
“Maybe they’ve only started supporting it in the last two years, who knows? I don’t know. But that doesn’t diminish who they are, I don’t think.”
Tottenham also removed concessions for new season ticket holders aged 65 or over, citing an increase in matchday costs and highlighting that prices have only been increased by 1.5 per cent over the last five years.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust have been left ‘dismayed’ by the move – with Spurs still yet to deliver any meaningful silverware since 2008, despite a marked improvement under Postecoglou.
Asked whether clubs face a ‘balancing act’ between UK-based fans and those abroad, the Spurs boss added: “Well it’s a balancing act only if your end means isn’t about growing your football club and I’m talking about in every aspect.
“It’s why we do tours around the world is to take this team to places in the world where I know people are passionate.
“I know there are passionate Spurs supporters in Australia, just as passionate as they are here.
“They don’t live here, they can’t come to the games, they can’t buy a season ticket. In fact, I’ve had friends in Australia who do buy season tickets and can only get here a couple of times a year because that’s how passionate they are.
“As long as your overall objective is to grow your football club, then I think you’ll find the balance you need.”