Sports

Manchester United plans investigation into away fans in home end

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English football club Manchester United is set to launch an investigation into how tickets for home areas of last week’s Europa League fixture against Rangers reached the away fans.

More than 3,500 Rangers fans were in the away end for the match while dozens more were seen among home fans celebrating a goal for the Scottish side.

United says that it will impose the “strongest possible sanctions” against registered ticket-holders found to be in breach of regulations.

The club claims it took a number of “strict” preventative measures to stop away fans from securing tickets in the home end and insists tickets were only allocated to supporters on its database.

It then acknowledged that, given the “unauthorised touting of tickets”, the possibility of away fans sitting in the home end could not be completely eliminated.

It is not the first time away fans have gained access to the home end at Old Trafford. Manchester United apologised to supporters in 2023 after more than 2,000 fans of Turkish side Galatasaray were allowed in the home section for a Champions League match.

Manchester United fans recently protested against a decision to scrap concession prices for members’ tickets and now the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) has written to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has control of sporting operations, asking for no further changes to be made to ticketing.

“This is not simply about protecting supporters’ pockets,” the letter read.

“We understand the financial realities of running the club. However, there is a strong correlation between fan relations and both financial and on-field outcomes. Poorly timed changes to ticketing policies risk undermining the very atmosphere and support that drive success on the pitch, leading to far greater losses in revenue than any gains from ticket price increases or policy changes.

“By freezing prices and avoiding major disruptive policy changes now, you have the opportunity to signal that you value the unique role of fans in Manchester United’s success. Together, we can build a stronger future for the club. The consequences of ignoring this are significant, but the benefits of getting it right are immeasurable.”

The Fulham Supporters’ Trust also penned a similar message to the club’s chief executive Alistair Mackintosh asking for season ticket prices to be frozen for the 2025-26 season.

Manchester United travelled to Craven Cottage yesterday (Sunday) to face Fulham in the Premier League. The side came away victorious thanks to a Lisandro Martínez goal in the 78th minute to secure a 1-0 win.