United's allocation at Wigan cut and Celtic Horizon not to receive allocation in United end

(you'll have read the club commenting on CH in the latest RN188)


from the excellent http://redsaway.com/2012/03/reds-awa...ket-reduction/


The news that Celtic Horizons has scrapped its package for next month’s match against Wigan has prompted a serious concern.


The firm has previously told Reds Away it is a licensed tour operator and gets its tickets through legal means.
Reds Away does not dispute that, but Wigan and United both deny selling tickets to them.


Wigan said they don’t sell away-end tickets to third parties and United said they are the only club who sell away-end tickets when United are the visiting club.


Bot one of them must be wrong – and no matter what the case, there are concerns.


- If the firm has cancelled its package because United’s allocation has fallen by 500, we have to ask how is it getting tickets meant for United season ticket holders and executive members?


It is against Premier League rules for any third party to sell away-end tickets and, earlier this year, another firm removed away-end tickets for Liverpool v United after Reds Away complained to the Football Association.


- If – as Celtic Horizon’s statement suggests – it has cancelled its package because Wigan are giving it fewer tickets, this prompts a much bigger concern.


When Reds Away first learned that the firm was selling tickets in the away end, our concern was that, if there was an incident which lead safety authorities to reduce the away-end allocation at a future game, how could the authorities be certain that those responsible were not Celtic Horizons’ customers as opposed to United season ticket holders or executive members who had got their tickets through United?


As the firm admits, the away allocation has been cut because “incidents” occurred at last season’s match.


And though it insists that none of its customers were involved, how can they prove it?


So we may be in a situation whereby the actions of the customers of a third party have lead to United fans getting a reduced allocation.


We expressed this fear in February 2011 and it fell on deaf ears.


We have asked Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police why United’s allocation was cut and have so far not received a reply.


We have also asked Wigan Athletic’s press office, but don’t expect to get a reply as, the last time Reds Away asked about it, the press manager asked us not to contact him again. Quite professional, I’m sure you will agree.


In the mean time, Reds Away believes the only way away-end safety issues can be addressed and United’s allocations can be protected is if those who buy tickets on the open market are not seated in the away end or next to the away end where there is no segregation.


This may also put an end to Seatwave selling tickets for the away match at Fulham at £20 above face value under the pretense that the seats are sold out.


MUST and IMUSA support this position and we would like to hear your views.