Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to eliminate ticket touts at Old Trafford by hiring a specialist to lead investigations into ticket distribution. The club have advertised a vacancy for a Supporter Escalations Executive, based at Old Trafford, who will manage supporter investigations, sanctions, appeals and escalations.
New role to tackle ticket touting
The advertisement, posted on United's official website, says the role is key to supporting the club's mission to tackle ticket touting by independently managing a high volume of complex supporter investigations. The successful candidate will use AI, technology and spreadsheet-based data analysis to identify patterns, trends and emerging risks, while applying excellent judgement and delivering clear, empathetic communication.
The new executive will serve as a primary point of contact for supporters and will predominantly oversee investigations into suspected instances of touting. Responsibilities include building trust and confidence by ensuring supporters feel heard, informed and respected throughout their appeal or escalation, regardless of outcome, while protecting consistency and fairness across the whole fanbase.
Ban on 685 season ticket holders
United's decision to bring in a new figure follows their move to ban 685 season ticket holders believed to have been involved in touting, though some continue to protest their innocence. That ruling left many fellow supporters feeling aggrieved, with a number choosing to stage a demonstration during last month's Manchester derby against Manchester City.
A statement from fan group The Red Army read: "This isn't a 'TRA' message, it's a message on behalf of every genuine fan group, match-going supporter, supporters' club and fan representative who has either contacted us directly or been negatively impacted by the recent behaviour of the club. It's an honest, heartfelt cry for recognition from the maligned, vilified, and misrepresented beating heart of our football club – the generational match-going supporters."
Neither is this solely a 'Manchester United' problem, this is a league-wide crisis that should be addressed at every club, regardless of rivalries and history. Without drastic changes, there will be no rivalries in the future vision for football shared by the decision makers.
