Liverpool FC has seized more than £1.2 million worth of assets and issued hundreds of lifetime bans in a major crackdown on ticket touting. The club worked with Merseyside Police to seize assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with several cases still ongoing.
Fake accounts and bans
The club analyzed nearly 700,000 ticket registrations last season, finding almost 68,000 believed to be from fake accounts, which were blocked or cancelled. A further 121,000 accounts remain under investigation. Liverpool FC issued 432 lifetime bans — 383 to All Red members, 41 to season ticket holders, and eight to seasonal hospitality members — plus 115 indefinite suspensions.
Police operation
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Suffield from Merseyside Police’s Economic Crime Team said: "This is a fantastic example of partnership working between ourselves and Liverpool Football Club for the good of the fans and the general public." He added: "Our advice to football supporters is clear: don't buy from ticket touts. You will be taking a huge risk with a lot of money and may ultimately be refused entry to the match with no way of getting your money back."
The club reported a 33% increase in burner phones identified at the ground, with entry denied or phones seized. Targeted stops outside the ground on matchdays averaged 300 per home game, and 3,847 tickets were cancelled for suspicious purchase activity.
Other sanctions
Under the Red Together initiative, 28 cases were highlighted, including three lifetime bans or suspensions for racist and homophobic abuse, 13 for inappropriate touching or language, four for assault, and one for tragedy chanting. The club warned that anyone with a ticket not forwarded in line with terms, or without a ticket, will be ejected.
