Manchester United are hiring a specialist as part of their bid to stop ticket touts at Old Trafford once and for all. The Red Devils have regularly been blighted by the issue, with perpetrators hoovering up tickets and selling them at inflated prices.
New role advertised
But now United are stepping up their attempts to combat touting. The club have advertised the role of a Supporter Escalations Executive, who will be tasked with leading a number of investigations when it comes to tickets and the distribution of them.
The advert, launched on United’s official website, reads: “This role is key to support the Club's mission to tackle ticket touting by independently managing a high volume of complex supporter investigations, sanctions, appeals and escalations.
“Use AI, technology and spreadsheet-based data analysis to identify patterns, trends and emerging risks, while applying excellent judgement and delivering clear, empathetic communication. Ensure every case is handled efficiently and consistently, upholding Club policy, values, legal obligations and fairness across the whole fanbase.”
Fan backlash and protests
Based at Old Trafford, the new executive will act as a ‘primary point of contact for supporters’ and will largely lead investigations into perceived instances of touting. Another key responsibility includes 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’.
United’s move to introduce a new face comes after they chose to ban 685 season ticket holders that the club thought were involved in touting, albeit some maintain their innocence. That decision left fellow fans feeling disgruntled, with some supporters choosing to stage a protest in last month’s Manchester derby against Manchester City.
Fan group statement
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.”
