Man United Fans Threaten Legal Action Against H&F Council
Claim reduction in ticket allocation for Chelsea match has caused losses
The entrance to Stamford Bridge
Football fans are threatening to take legal action against a Hammersmith & Fulham Council over the ticket allocation for a match at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has slammed the council over plans for next week’s match with Chelsea, after it was re-scheduled to another date with reduced numbers.
The game was originally set to take place on Sunday, 23 October, but last week it was brought forward a day earlier for TV broadcasting reasons with the Chelsea v Salzburg Champions League game on the following Tuesday.
United had sold nearly 3,000 tickets before the game was rescheduled. A safety certificate issued by Hammersmith and Fulham Council means only 2,370 tickets can be sold at the new kick-off time.
Now, over 500 United fans can’t attend the game, with many having booked travel and accommodation. The council said the decision was made following safety advice from the Met Police.
A solicitors’ letter to the council said, “We write to request you urgently issue a fresh safety certificate for the above fixture with allowance for the full ticket allocation of 3,000 MUFC fans.
“There is no rational reason to reduce the ticket allocation for away fans at a 5.30pm kick-off when it is accepted that there would be a full ticket allocation at a fixture beginning no later than 4.45pm.
“If we do not receive a reply to this letter from you… or if you confirm that you refuse to reverse your decision, then we reserve the right to commence judicial review proceedings against you.”
A spokesperson for the council said, “The decision to restrict ticket allocation for away fans was on the advice of the Metropolitan Police and its concern about risks associated with the late kick-off. We wrote to Chelsea FC in the summer expressing our concern about the timing of this match.
“It is disappointing that the football authorities have not been able to change the kick-off time to enable the full ticket allocation for away fans making the journey.”
Hannah Neary - Local Democracy Reporter
October 13, 2022