Manchester United Fans’ Forum Told of ‘Widespread Misuse’ of Disabled Tickets for Away Matches

Manchester United’s Fans’ Forum was recently informed of the disturbing trend of able-bodied fans misusing disabled tickets allocated for away matches. The club’s Director of Supporter Services, Sam Kelleher, addressed the issue during the meeting, revealing that there have been multiple complaints regarding non-disabled supporters posing as disabled to gain access to wheelchair spaces at matches.

The Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association Secretary, Chas Banks, passionately spoke out against the misuse of these tickets, highlighting the impact it has on genuinely disabled fans who are being denied the opportunity to attend games. Banks described the behavior of these fans as ‘scumbag’ and called for harsh sanctions for those caught in the act.

The allegations have prompted the club to rethink their ticket collection process for disabled fans, with a new format requiring photo ID for collection to ensure that tickets are going to the right people. This move aims to prevent further exploitation of the system by individuals looking to gain unauthorized access to matches.

Banks emphasized the importance of cracking down on this behavior to protect the rights of disabled fans who are entitled to these tickets. He stressed that the issue is not a victimless crime and urged the club to take decisive action against those found guilty of misusing disabled tickets.

The revelations from the Fans’ Forum have shed light on a troubling trend within the fanbase and have sparked a call for greater vigilance and accountability in ticket allocation processes. Manchester United will be looking to address these concerns and ensure that disabled fans are able to enjoy matches without fear of exploitation by dishonest individuals.