Liverpool announces major crackdown on ticket touts with over 1000 lifetime bans
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Liverpool has continued its crackdown on ticket touts and issued a record 1,114 lifetime bans last season.
The reselling of tickets has been a huge issue for supporters over several years now, with demand to see Liverpool higher than ever.
The club has made an increasing effort to address the problem, with the discovery of mass manipulation of software helping with a significant increase in lifetime bans being administered.
The majority of bans were for the unauthorised selling of season tickets, memberships, or hospitality tickets, while Liverpool has targeted social media groups in its effort to control the situation.
Read More.
Liverpool has confirmed that 162 online groups that were involved in selling fake tickets or real tickets at inflated prices were shut down last year.
Around 45,000 fake accounts have been closed, while a further 10,000 are being investigated.
More in-person staff have helped to combat the issue on matchdays, with almost 500 denied access last season alone
Tickets for Liverpool games are difficult for non-season ticket holders to obtain
In a statement, Liverpool said: "Liverpool FC will continue to take robust action across this season, with increased resource targeting those involved in the proliferation of touting activity.
"Supporters should be aware that if they are in possession of a ticket that has not been forwarded in line with the club’s terms and conditions, or are present inside Anfield without a valid ticket, they will be ejected by stewards or the police.
"Supporters are reminded not to buy tickets from unofficial online channels or from unofficial sellers, as more and more sophisticated and organised ways to defraud or extort fans continue to be discovered.
"Upwards of 90 per cent of tickets listed on these unofficial sites either do not exist or are touted tickets that have been sold multiple times."
Liverpool has brought in a new ticketing policy this season for supporters, with an All Red Lite account granting access to tickets for just £26 ($35) a year.
Those in the local area who live at a property with an L postcode are also given priority when purchasing tickets.