United fans challenge ticket policy

Updated 13.01 Wed Nov 19 2008

Keywords: sport, football, premier league, manchester united, money in sport, manchester united supporters trust, shareholders united, malcolm glazer, the glazers, glazer family

A group of Manchester United supporters have reported the club to the Office of Fair Trading.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), a group formerly known as Shareholders United and fierce opposition to the Glazer family's takeover of the club, claims United 'breached its statutory and legal obligations' by forcing season ticket holders to buy tickets for the club's cup matches.

"Over recent years we have seen unfair terms and huge ticket price rises imposed on supporters" - Duncan Drasdo

The system once included all cup games but it has since been relaxed and no longer includes Carling Cup matches.

Must also argue that the recent increase in ticket prices contradicts a pledge made by Malcolm Glazer during negotiations.

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

"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."

The OFT may take more than a year to decide if they will hear the case.