July 23 – Manchester United are facing a supporter backlash after suspending the online season ticket accounts of a number of fans, in a crackdown on illegal resales that many believe has caught the innocent alongside the guilty.
United have restricted accounts where username and login details are shared with more than six different people.
Supporters’ groups MUST, The 1958, The Red Army, and the club’s fans’ forum, have hit back, releasing a joint statement which accepts that “professional touting, automated purchasing and those who exploit supporters for financial gain have no place at Manchester United and deserve robust action.” But it insisted “that action must be fair, proportionate and transparent.”
The statement adds: “The current approach has created a growing perception among supporters of a ‘Ban first and ask questions later’ process. Investigations should establish the facts before sanctions are imposed.”
This is a supporter base that has protested, marched and organised for the best part of two decades over debt, ticket prices and neglect, and feel largely ignored. Now long-standing season ticket holders, some following the club across generations, say they are being treated as suspects without evidence or a chance to respond.
MUST claims thousands received suspension and cancellation notices and says it has been overwhelmed with requests for help. The groups want the club to pause suspensions while talks take place.
The saga again raises questions over the Glazers ownership and again brings into the firing line minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has operational control at Old Trafford and who has been criticised in the past over tough measures to save money.
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