By Chris Wright
Once again, Manchester United have been barracked by all and sundry over their dreadful season ticket policy which requires all holders to buy mandatory tickets for the upcoming FA Cup replay against Cambridge United.
The policy, which has been in place for several years now, means that all fans with season cards are shanghaied into buying a ticket for all home FA Cup ties.
Should any given fan fail to comply with the terms they are punished by having their card suspended for a subsequent Premier League game at Old Trafford.
After United failed to beat Cambridge in Cambridge the first time round, season ticket holders are now being told they have to buy a ticket for the replay on 3rd February at an exorbitant cost of £50-a-pop.
That’s a midweek fixture (Tuesday night) arranged at short notice. Fifty English pounds.
Fans have also been informed that if they pass on a ticket for the replay they will then be banned from attending United’s next home Premier League home game against Sunderland on 28th February.
Indeed, yesterday United sent out letters and emails to all fans reminding them of their duties:
“The deadline to buy your seat for Cambridge United is 8pm, tonight,” the letter reads.
“Please note that not buying this ticket will result in your Season Ticket being suspended for the Sunderland game.”
Unsurprisingly, United supporters are once again up in arms about the ticketing furore, with one season card holder telling the Daily Mail:
“I find it unbelievable that the club think they can treat loyal supporters like myself that spend thousands with them like this — sending an email making threats and setting deadlines.
“This isn’t the first time this has happened and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I’m sick to death of having emails like this.
“To be honest I would be willing to miss both the Cambridge and Sunderland games as a matter of principle.”
Of course, the policy sounds scandalous – borderline illegal – and the Cambridge tickets are extortionately priced, but as United themselves point out, the terms and conditions of the season card and cup ticketing scheme are crystal clear.
Don’t like it? Don’t sign up.