Manchester City has taken decisive action against Plymouth Argyle fans attempting to secure seats in the home section for Saturday’s FA Cup clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Hundreds of tickets have been canceled after City discovered that supporters from the south coast were purchasing memberships solely to gain access to the game.
How Argyle Fans Bypassed Restrictions
Plymouth’s allocation of 7,800 tickets quickly sold out, leaving many fans scrambling for alternatives.
Some turned to City’s £35 matchday membership, which grants access to home ticket sales, to buy seats in the home sections.
However, Manchester City identified these purchases and has since refunded those who had a registered Plymouth address and no previous ticket history.
Tighter Security Measures After Recent Incidents
City’s strict approach follows a recent incident during their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, where a visiting fan was forcefully removed from the home end.
Video footage showed stewards escorting the individual while other supporters punched him on the way out.
Similar concerns arose during a Champions League fixture against Real Madrid when away supporters were spotted in home sections.
Plymouth’s Giant-Killing Run and the Ticket Rush
Plymouth, currently 22nd in the Championship, made headlines in the fourth round by knocking out Liverpool in a stunning FA Cup upset.
Their reward? A daunting trip to face the reigning Premier League champions.
The excitement surrounding the fixture led to an online scramble for tickets, with some fans sharing advice on how to secure seats outside the official away allocation.
City’s Ticket Investigation and Refunds
To minimize the risk of away supporters infiltrating home sections, City conducted an in-depth analysis of ticket purchases.
They identified fewer than 250 suspicious transactions from individuals within a 30-mile radius of Plymouth who had no prior purchase history.
Those fans will not only lose their match ticket but will also have their £35 membership fee refunded.
What’s Next?
With tensions high and security measures tightened, City will be on alert to prevent any further ticketing breaches.
The FA Cup tie is expected to be a high-stakes encounter, and both clubs will be keen to ensure that the matchday experience remains safe and fair for all supporters.