Newcastle United apologized for a ticket resale issue, canceling over 100 season tickets. It stemmed from a decade-old deal with tour operators. The issue came to light when a school secured tickets for the Barcelona match. The club is committed to protecting fans and ensuring fair ticket access.
Newcastle United has issued an apology to its fanbase following a significant ticket controversy. The club confirmed the cancellation of over 100 season tickets after uncovering unauthorized resales linked to a decade-old agreement with tour operators. This action follows an incident where a school located nearly 200 miles away managed to secure tickets for the highly anticipated Champions League home game against Barcelona, raising concerns among loyal supporters.
The club explained that upon the arrival of the new ownership four years ago, existing agreements with third parties, which permitted them to sell tickets, were terminated. Among these agreements was a deal established a decade prior with a small group of tour organizers, intended to benefit school groups. However, Newcastle United failed to detect that these tour organizers were still actively selling tickets, primarily due to the absence of a formal, ongoing contract.
"At a time when we are doing our utmost to protect legitimate access for Newcastle United fans, we want to be fully transparent and apologise for this oversight," the club stated, acknowledging the lapse in oversight that led to the unauthorized resales.
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Newcastle United recorded their first win of the season against Wolves at the weekend
The High School of Dundee acquired forty-five tickets for the Barcelona match during the same period when 110,000 fans were in an online queue, desperately seeking to secure the remaining seats for the highly anticipated fixture. A spokesman for the school clarified that they had purchased the tickets in good faith after being approached by a provider. However, Newcastle United subsequently cancelled these tickets as part of their efforts to address the unauthorized resales.
In recent days, Newcastle United has terminated a total of 103 season tickets due to breaches of the club's terms and conditions. The club emphasized that the current situation does not involve individual supporters reselling their tickets for matches at St James' Park. Instead, the focus is on the unauthorized resale activities of tour organizers who acquired season tickets during the 2015-16 campaign.
Newcastle United reiterated that the continued use and unauthorized resale of season tickets at a higher package price went undetected because there was no formal contract in place with the tour groups. This lack of a formal agreement hindered the club's ability to monitor and regulate the activities of these tour organizers effectively.
"Upon being made aware of this issue, the club took immediate action," a club statement read. "The club have not received any funds above the face value price of these season tickets and have immediately returned the seats for sale to supporters who have entered the official ballot for upcoming fixtures."
The Newcastle United Supporters' Trust has expressed its support for the club's actions, welcoming the visible steps taken to deter and penalize those who may be profiting from other fans. The Trust noted that reduced ticket availability due to high demand and the sale of tickets through third-party sites or other unauthorized means are among the biggest concerns for Newcastle fans.
This situation underscores the challenges faced by football clubs in managing ticket distribution and combating unauthorized resales, especially in the context of high-demand matches such as those in the Champions League. Newcastle United's response reflects a commitment to protecting the interests of its loyal supporters and ensuring fair access to match tickets.