Manchester United has banned 685 accounts while issuing 464 supporters a reduced sanction or final warning after concluding its investigation related to ticket touting.
In an official statement, the Premier League club said, “Over the course of the summer, Manchester United undertook an operation to review accounts that showed irregular activity resembling ticket misuse.”
“The club’s guiding principle around ticketing is simple: to keep our fans safe and secure, to protect fair access to tickets for genuine Manchester United supporters and to tackle ticket touting, misuse and activity for financial gain.”
In the investigation, the club identified 1,617 accounts where unusual activity was occurring and reviewed them. Every account holder was informed about the nature of the activity and given a chance to explain the reasons behind it.
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Restrictions were removed and no further action was taken if the explanation was satisfactory.
Where sanctions had been imposed, the club supporters had the right to appeal to an independent appeals panel, which included fan representation.
After hearing all the appeals, United revealed that 468 cases were resolved after supporters responded with the relevant information while 226 accounts received a final warning where misuse was identified beyond simply sharing account details, but the club was satisfied it wasn’t done for financial gain.
The 1958 Manchester United fans’ group is organising a protest ahead of Sunday’s derby clash with Manchester City, arguing the club’s handling of its ticket touting crackdown was heavy-handed.
“Manchester United are sanctioning and banning loyal, generational Reds without clear and compelling evidence,” the group said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “These owners want rid of lifelong matchgoers. Their strategy is clear to see. It’s a cull!
“If there is clear, substantive evidence of serious wrongdoing or organised ticket touting, show it. No loyal supporter should be treated as guilty without being given a fair opportunity to understand and challenge the case against them.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
Published on Sep 11, 2026