The billionaire owner of Gold Coast United will drop his controversial crowd cap when A-League leader Sydney FC visits this weekend. On Monday, Gold Coast United chairman and owner Clive Palmer, a mining magnate, and the Football Federation Australia reached agreement to remove the 5,000-spectator cap which the club imposed last weekend. Just 2,616 fans watched North Queensland, led by the league's star recruit, ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, beat Gold Coast United 2-0 last Saturday. Palmer capped the attendance by closing off three sides of the stadium - avoiding costs he would have incurred if the crowd had surpassed 5,000 by opening only limited concession stands and scaling back traffic management and security requirements to save an estimated $100,000 in venue operational costs. The move was condemned by infuriated fans who carried banners protesting the crowd limit. When Fowler came to the Gold Coast in the second round, more than 7,500 were in the stands to watch the home side outclass North Queensland 5-0. Palmer ignored an FFA request last week not to restrict attendance for that match, but the two sides were able to reach agreement for Saturday's game against Sydney. "Under the agreement, the cap on crowds is gone and all sections of Skilled Park will be open to the public," the FFA said in a statement. "In addition a new pricing structure will be released this week making the game more accessible to all people on the Gold Coast." Gold Coast chief executive Clive Mensink said the club's supporters were noticeable by their absence last week. "We have listened to the fans and the community and they have told us that they want the stadium opened up and there are some issues around pricing," said Mensink. "I have heard them loud and clear."
