Manchester United believe they have broken up organised ticketing rings after revoking 685 season tickets during a controversial touting investigation.
The club’s forceful crackdown over the summer drew sharp criticism from supporters after a large number of innocent individuals faced potential sanctions.
This week, fan group The 1958 urged supporters to “stand united” against the “season ticket ban fiasco” in a protest before Sunday’s derby with Manchester City, declaring a “line has been crossed”.
United published an investigation update prior to this weekend’s matches, confirming 685 accounts received bans while 464 supporters were given reduced penalties or final warnings.
A club statement read: “Bans were issued where there was significant misuse of the ticketing system for financial gain.
“This included the operation of organised ticketing networks, which were controlling, selling and distributing tickets from hundreds of accounts.
“These actions undermine fair access to tickets for genuine supporters and have no place at Manchester United.
“Our focus now turns to ensuring these tickets are returned to our supporters. All season tickets released through this process will be offered to supporters on the season ticket waiting list.”
United stated that the inquiry highlighted 1,617 accounts requiring additional examination due to what it termed “unusual activity”.
Among those stripped of season tickets, 113 failed to answer requests for information, 73 did not appeal and 499 had bans upheld by an independent appeals board.
Last month, United said an independent firm had “uncovered significant and organised touting” after examining activity on the club’s ticketing platform between March and June.
However, the club admitted their touting investigation had “caused significant concern and distress for some supporters”.
United also conceded they had “underestimated how common sharing account usernames and passwords was” and recognised “that some fans may have felt they were being treated unfairly.”
The Press Association reached out to The 1958 for comment ahead of Sunday’s protest, where supporters are asked to assemble outside Old Trafford’s Bishop Blaize pub at 3pm.
A spokesperson for the supporter group stated on Tuesday: “Manchester United supporter groups are being called upon to all stand together following reports of bans and season ticket sanctions without clear and compelling evidence always being presented.
“For generations, match-going Reds have given their time, money and loyalty to Manchester United, home and away. That loyalty deserves to be treated with respect.
“This is not about one group or one individual. It is about how Manchester United treats its match-going supporters. It may not affect you today, it may not next time but that day is coming for all of us.
“All Reds. All groups. One voice. Show the evidence. Lift the bans.”
