United reported over prices

Group goes to OFT over compulsory cup scheme

Last updated: 19th November 2008

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Manchester United have been reported to the Office of Fair Trading by a group of their own fans.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has lodged official papers with the OFT claiming the Red Devils have 'breached its statutory and legal obligations to season ticket holders'.

The group, formerly known as Shareholders United, vehemently opposed Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the club in 2005,

MUST's argument centres on the compulsory cup scheme, which forces season ticket holders to agree in advance to buy tickets for cup games.

At one point all season ticket holders had to pay for all cup matches but this has now been relaxed to exclude Carling Cup games.

However, MUST still claims United are acting unlawfully given what they view as a dominant position in the market and the fact that fans do not transfer their allegiance just because the club acts in a way they do not like.

Specifically, MUST's three complaints are:

... United's season ticket terms and conditions are in breach of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations 1999.

... Their compulsory automatic cup ticket scheme is in breach of The Competition Act 1998, Part II, Section 18(2).

... Their pricing policy is in breach of The Competition Act 1998.

In addition, they argue that massive ticket price rises in recent years contravene a pledge given by Glazer in the build-up to his takeover attempt.

"Over recent years we have seen unfair terms and huge ticket price rises imposed on supporters by club owners taking advantage of their loyalty," said MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo.

"For a long time Manchester United was by no means the worst offender having previously had an admirable policy of keeping prices relatively low despite the success of the club. All that changed when the Glazers took over.

"However now, with the help of a team of eminent competition lawyers, economists and experts in sports law, we have been able to compile a comprehensive complaint based on Competition and Contract Law, which could have welcome consequences for supporters at clubs throughout the country."

Manchester United have yet to respond to news of the group's complaint.

What do you think of the ticket policy at Old Trafford? Let us know using the form below.

Comments

Abbie Dodd (Manchester United fan) says...

Jesus, where are some of these comments coming from? while I understand paying for tickets for a game you cannot or do not want to see may seem unreasonable, but how would you feel paying for the price of a season ticket at Chelski (1200 to 1300 GBP) and winning nothing at the end of the season. As an ex-season ticket holder (before I moved overseas) I used to pay 335 GBP and didn't begrudge a penny of it. How on earth would they afford to buy a seventeen year old Ronaldo at a price most clubs can only dream about without the loyal support of true United fans paying their money every week!!!! On their pre-season tour last season, they came to Guangzhou, China and the tickets cost me 50 GBP EACH !!! I paid this gladly even though only a small proportion would go to the club I love, I agree with Mark, if you don't want the ticket, put it up for sale on a legal website or something similar, when I do come back to the UK, I would gladly pay for a ticket that otherwise I would have to pay a ludicrous amount of money for from a tout. Get over it and support the best club in the world!! and if you don't like it, there are thousands of people just waiting to take your season ticket. From a loyal supporter in China

Posted 03:41 20th November 2008

Gary Chamberlain (Manchester United fan) says...

You should all stop complaining about the prices and think yourself lucky you have tickets. Do you know how many people would love to get tickets for Old Trafford. You lot would be the first to complain if we went back to paying on the turnstyle on a first come first served every week. If you dont like it give your ticket up and there are thousands waiting to take it over.

Posted 01:32 20th November 2008

Adam Johnston (Manchester United fan) says...

These guys seem to not understand how lucky they are living where they do!!!it cost me around 300/400 quid every time i want to see the love of my life!is there any love left for the club from these guys???seems they are to busy with their Must campaign to think about the football!!

Posted 22:38 19th November 2008

Danny Woodhall (Manchester United fan) says...

Ok this might sounds a little silly but if you all hate the ticket costs why do you buy them? And what is it with people always complaining about one thing then another??? Put it this way if you like the team and want to go to all the matches you buy a ticket if it's too much you leave it or save up for next time. Other than that you chose if and when you buy a match or season ticket, so on that note if its about the price ask them to explain the cost but if it's just hating on the team or owners, please leave it to the pub as there is enough bad things in the world to worry about insted of fooyball match ticket costs.

Posted 16:22 19th November 2008

Garvin Clements (Manchester United fan) says...

As a United fan I just hope this is a fight for true football fans, and not just another attack on the club I have loved all my life. It saddens me to say it, but I can't help but feel that United supporters are some of the most ungreatful I've ever come across. I empathise with those supporters that can't afford to go to the games, and the whole Coventry-Arsenal situation previously mentioned does sound unfair; but we should be enjoying this period of success, and making the most of it, not focusing on the negatives. Give up your tickets if the principle means that much to you. Vote with your feet. If a political party promised to lower taxes and then the global economy sunk like it has. Would you then be entitled to sue the government for not following through with it's promises? United provide a service, much like a theatre production company. They provide entertainment, and have provided some of the best entertainment in the world for some time now. It's different every week, there are paragraphs, chapters and moments, that we will remember the rest of our lives. As a ticket holder you have the privilage of saying "I was there when..." I myself remember standing infront of the TV when Rooney scored that bullet against Newcastle, leaping for joy after Giggs' run against Arsenal, Cole's chip against Spurs... Solskjaer's flick in Barcelona.... I remember where I was, who I was with, the adrenaline pumping... infront of the tv. Dispite what some people might tell you, they would not die if they gave up their privelages as season ticket holders and watch the games on TV. There are also plenty of games played down in the local park, go and watch one of them. People do need food to survive, but not football... can you imagine a group of people entering the worlds best resteraunt and taking a case against it for the extortionate price of it's luxury?

Posted 15:51 19th November 2008

Brad Journeaux (Manchester United fan) says...

I'm not against the concept of an ACS as such, but it's disgraceful that Carling Cup prices, where a reserve United side will likely face either a fellow weakened side or lower tiered opposition, remain the same as a regular Premiership game, just because the club knows that people are tied into the scheme, and so can be forced to pay that amount. Without an ACS, you'd have a half empty stadium or worse charging £40 in the North Tier. I've never suffered thankfully, but it's also a disgrace and surely illegal to be tied to the ACS, but not be gaurenteed tickets for all cup games, it defeats the whole point. Hopefully the MUST action will be successful, and it's certainly served to highlight some of the unaffected supporters "I'm alright Jack" attitude. What happened to showing some solidarity? A concept lost on many in this day and age

Posted 15:48 19th November 2008

Mark Seymour (Manchester United fan) says...

To all the season ticket holders who have to pay for these extra seats I do feel you are being drawn in to pay extra money for something you may not want to watch, or can't make. That is not fair and I do agree on some level. BUT LET ME OFFER A SOLUTION THAT WILL BENEFIT ALL. Put your tickets up on a legal exchange website and watch your money come back to you. Or put it on an auction website and make a profit. There are many, and I mean MANY of us that will gladly buy the ticket from you. I know your argument may be if they didn't do this then we would have a greater chance of purchasing a ticket, but take it into your own hands and make the money for yourselves. I guarantee you will be able to pass on this compulsory ticket you are moaning about having to pay. As for price hikes, I don't think this is a Glazer problem, I think this is a common factor in the footballing industry, not just MU. It seems to me this is a spiteful retaliation to the Glazers

Posted 15:41 19th November 2008

Simon Qureshi (Manchester United fan) says...

I am a Manchester United season ticket holder, in fact i have two. I agree that the ticket allocation for cup games is wrong. You should not have to pay for a ticket if you do not attend the game. Why should you pay for the cup games when they are not part of the league season. It just seems a ludacris way of getting money out of you. If you atttend all the champions leageus games then that is fair, you have a valid ticket for the game you want to see. I respect that Manchester united have debts but i do not sgree with the fans paying for it. Surely the owners must find alternatives than exploit the fans. Why doesnt he use the united brand in the USA more so they can pay for the debt and not the loyal fans who just want to pay for the football game they are watching.

Posted 15:18 19th November 2008

Dave W (Manchester United fan) says...

You having a laugh. United if anything are under priced. Thats like going to the hilton and only wanting to pay for a room in the back street of Grimsby. You want the best so pay for the best. All this is still because people are bitter that we've been bought by some Americans. Personnally i've not seen a difference. Alright the Cup scheme is rubbish and that should be removed but i don't see a problem with the prices. When we travel to Chelsea and Birmingham and they charge us £45 - £50 a ticket claiming it's due to "extra police" thats out of order. Paying £35 to watch united - bargain!

Posted 14:54 19th November 2008

Bob Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

Some of these replies are everything that is wrong with United and football these days. I can't believe what I'm reading. "Love Fergie, Hate FC United". What are you on? That lot are more loyal than you'll ever be. Shame on you. Do you understand anything about what's happened to this club? Clearly not

Posted 14:40 19th November 2008

Karl Dammer (Manchester United fan) says...

I'll get my violin shall I? Prices go up, doesnt matter whether thats football, gas, electric or the shopping bill, prices go up every year and I wonder what plant people live on where they imagine they dont. Uniteds prices are compatative when compared to the other top clubs in this league and across Europe, if you dont want to pay to see them, go support Stoke. Nothing in life is free.

Posted 14:24 19th November 2008

The flying Munkey (Manchester United fan) says...

I am totally in support of the action taken by MUST against MU Ltd. United are absuing their position by forcing supporters to pay for games that they may not want to attend or may not be able to attend. The price of a season ticket at Old Trafford has rocketed since the takeover, and reaches exponential levels when you consider the compulsory ACS. For the wider football supporters' community, if this action is successful, it will stop other clubs from bringing in their own ACS for their season ticket holders.

Posted 14:15 19th November 2008

Alan Contini (Liverpool fan) says...

I am a LIVERPOOL season ticket holder and I pay £650 to watch my team , so do not complain about paying £498 to watch your team.we have a automatic ticket system but we do have a choice each season to join or not ,unlike united fans which is wrong.and people say stop going on principle, but who would I watch ??? I only want to watch LIVERPOOL FC, like most fans only watch their team. If you are a loyal supporter you get a raw deal,and at least your ground is built not like mine still on the drawing board,and when it is '' boy ''will our ticket prices go up,and we will still pay it.

Posted 14:12 19th November 2008

Manred33 33 (Manchester United fan) says...

Good comments off of most people in here, I held two season tickets, two seasons back and what started out as an initial £766 per season ticket turned into a £1200+ affair (yes thats over £2400 all in, exluding traveling from London), I agree with what MUST are trying to get done about the compulsary home ticket scheme as it is that scheme which prevented me from renewing my season tickets. What I dont agree with is people complaining about the prices of the tickets, I think in line with other clubs around the different leagues united tickets are good value. My brother in law watches Rochdale regularly and he pays £40 a ticket, I think what many people need to realise is that when your at the theatre of dreams watching Ronaldo and Co it is very different compared to the smaller clubs in the premiership. For a club to be succesful they need money, the money comes from us the fans, we watch the games, buy the shirts and eat the pies and its time for everyone to get over it. I support United who I want to dominate, if that means a couple of extra quid to watch then so be it. Im behind my club and support them, the Glazers have been pretty good for us and we are playing some of the most attractive football around which I believe will continue for some time.

Posted 13:29 19th November 2008

Sachin Shah (Manchester United fan) says...

The dramatic price raise has to stop. Of course we all expected an increase, but the exploitation of the loyal fans has to stop. The argument of "there are always other fans who will take your position" should be nullified as the season tickets actually went on public sale. This didnt have in previous seasons before the hike. This doesnt just effect United but clubs across the levels. The ACS is really ridiculous. The fact that you have to pay £30+ to see a United reserve team in a cup game otherwise you are docked for loyalty is not right, especially when the same people are guaranteed a game against Barcelona. These prices arent there to pay for players, because players being bought was possible before the takeover and the raise in ticket prices.

Posted 13:22 19th November 2008

Stefan Gauci (Manchester United fan) says...

Ian, I couldn't agree with you more. Add to that a flight ticket, and accomodation and you have the cost of one game for an overseas fan.

Posted 12:17 19th November 2008

Colin Roebuck (Manchester United fan) says...

Thanks to to the Glazers and the rising debt, these ticketing polices have been brought in as a measure to keep matchday revenue at a sustainable level so the club can meet it's interest payment requirements, ie us Manchester United season ticket holders are paying for the cost of the Glazer's takeover. I for one am fully beind MUST and may the good work continue.

Posted 12:11 19th November 2008

Tracy Jane (Manchester United fan) says...

It's about time someone did something about this, not just for United, but for football in general, where loyal fans are being priced out season-by-season. And it's not just ticket prices either. United have small print in their Season Ticket contracts that says while you HAVE to pay for all Cup games, you are not guaranteed a ticket! Last season I knew people who were forced to pay for the likes of Coventry City in the League Cup but did not get tickets for Arsenal in the FA Cup or Barcelona in the Champions League. It's an outrage and just because we love our team doesn't mean we should let them exploit us in this way. TJ

Posted 12:08 19th November 2008

Paul Fisher (Manchester City fan) says...

I'm a season ticket holder at City and I can't help but feel a little bit of sympathy. Let's face it. This scheme is just a crude way of exploiting loyal supporters and managing debt. One of my best mates gave his season ticket on principle and i've got a lot of respect for him because of that. He basically didn't see why he should be made to pay for a ticket for a cup match that he may not want to OR not be able to attend. The bottom line is that the true supporters are treated like S**t and always have been. Look on the bright side, 3 points in the Derby. City haven't got a prayer playing the way they are at the moment!

Posted 11:56 19th November 2008

Mike Warren (Manchester United fan) says...

I have just found some old tickets from 2001, the most expensive was £20.00 and the Stretford End £17.00 Plus a 1996 Champions league v juventus £14.00 (invlation).

Posted 11:50 19th November 2008

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