United confirm plans to prevent ticketing issue recurring

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Manchester United have told fans who have written to the club complaining about the number of Galatasaray fans in the home section of Old Trafford on Tuesday that they are taking steps to prevent it happening again.

In their reply to supporters, United confirm some tickets were ‘unofficially accessed by, or transferred to’ visiting fans, even though they were all allocated to season ticket holders or members.

United are still investigating the extent of the problem and precisely why it occurred and say they hope to have an update next week.

It was estimated well over a thousand Galatasaray fans were dotted around the stadium during the game, with many coming together after the final whistle to celebrate their side’s surprise 3-2 Champions League victory.

United have not discounted the possibility that some of UEFA’s allocation of Category A tickets for the home part of the stadium that would have been given to Galatasaray guests, club partners and families as normal practice in the Champions League was part of the problem. There was singing in the directors’ box as well as the wider stadium after the final whistle.

They are also continuing what is regarded as an ongoing battle to identify touts who have season tickets.

United sources reject absolutely the idea that tickets donated to the Manchester United Foundation by season ticket holders were sold for more than the standard ground admission price.

The club realise the issue of ticketing remains a problem, even though they are now set direct to phones with a QR code.

BBC Sport has been told they are working on technology that would tie a ticket to a specific device, which in theory would making it almost impossible to tout.