Ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming FA Cup clash with Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, the Premier League champions have taken decisive action by cancelling tickets purchased by Argyle supporters planning to sit in the home section of the Etihad Stadium.
Plymouth Fans Attempt to Sneak into Home End After Club’s Allocation Sells Out
After Plymouth sold out their entire 7,800 ticket allocation, some of their fans took an unconventional route by purchasing Manchester City’s annual £35 matchday membership, which allowed them to secure seats in the home end.
However, City quickly identified the situation and decided to take action.
The club refunded fans who had a registered address in the Plymouth area and who had never previously bought tickets for a City match.
City Responds After Recent Incidents Involving Away Fans in Home Sections
This move by Manchester City comes shortly after a series of incidents at the Etihad Stadium.
In one instance, stewards were seen escorting a Liverpool fan out of the home section during City’s 2-0 loss to the league leaders. The situation escalated with the fan being punched multiple times.
Additionally, Real Madrid supporters were spotted in the home end during the Champions League playoff, further raising concerns about away fans infiltrating home sections.
City’s Analysis Helps Identify Unauthorised Ticket Purchases
To prevent any further incidents, Manchester City’s staff conducted a thorough investigation into ticket sales for the upcoming FA Cup match.
The club focused on individuals within a 30-mile radius of Plymouth who had not attended previous matches.
City officials identified nearly 250 tickets purchased by people who had no prior ticket-buying history, many of whom were believed to be Plymouth fans.
Ticketing Scams Targeting Plymouth Fans Lead to Membership Refunds
Plymouth fans who missed out on the general sale of tickets for their club’s trip to City were advised online on how to secure tickets through the home club’s system.
While standard tickets for home fans typically cost between £25 and £35, these Argyle supporters had to buy an additional £35 membership to access the matchday tickets.
As a result, Manchester City has also refunded the membership fees, ensuring that the fans do not lose out financially.