Viagogo has been accused of putting football fans at risk by allowing touts to sell Uefa Champions League home tickets to foreign hooligans.
A Sunday Mirror report highlighted that seats in home areas for Liverpool’s game against Spartak Moscow were available to buy in Russia.
There are particular concerns as Russian fans were involved in a number of hooligan incidents at last year’s European Championships in France, including notable skirmishes with English supporters in both Marseille and Lille.
Restrictions are also being ignored for Tottenham’s home game against Real Madrid and other Champions League games, according to the Mirror. The accusations come just weeks after Arsenal’s Europa League against FC Cologne had to be delayed due to disturbances caused by German fans having purchased tickets for home areas at the Emirates Stadium.
A source told the Mirror newspaper: “Viagogo are openly selling away fans tickets in home ends for upcoming Champions League games.
“We had Arsenal delayed other month and now have some serious risky games with Russians being sold tickets in home end of Anfield. But no one is putting a stop to this highly risky and illegal behaviour.
“Most of the time the away fan doesn’t know it’s the home end until the tickets arrive. Then they can’t get a refund.”
Sharon Hodgson MP, a prominent critic of the secondary ticketing market, said: “There are clear worries around security and safety here.
“These must be addressed quickly by the authorities before we see any serious fatalities at a football game, all because touts want to make a quick buck.”
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