Brighton Cracks Down on Ticket Touting Scandal
Brighton & Hove Albion have smashed a ticket tout ring targeting desperate fans eager for high-profile games at the Amex Stadium. The scam was uncovered ahead of last weekend’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool, resulting in over 150 tickets in home areas being blocked and more than 100 online accounts suspended.
Touts Caught Selling Overpriced FA Cup Tickets
The club revealed most blocked tickets were sold to Liverpool fans through unofficial online channels at inflated prices—some as high as £250. None of these tickets got holders into the stadium. Head of Supporter Services, Jenny Gower, slammed the operation:
“It’s an absolutely shameless exploitation of football fans. Those who have fallen victim should contact their banks or credit card companies to recover their funds.”
She added, “We have a clear message: touts have no place in football. We will do everything to stop them exploiting home or away supporters at the Amex.”
Club Tightens Rules to Stop Away Fans in Home Sections
Brighton fans have voiced frustration over visiting supporters sneaking into home areas. The club has acted on this feedback by reminding all fans not to buy tickets from unofficial sellers and strictly forbids passing home tickets to away fans.
Gower warned, “Stewards removed a significant number of away supporters from home sections. Our terms and conditions make clear away fans are not permitted in home areas.”
She praised the home crowd’s passion during the historic win at the Amex, saying, “Our supporters created a fantastic atmosphere that made the FA Cup tie unforgettable.”
Gower concluded, “We will sanction anyone found transferring home tickets to away fans. The vast majority of fans support these rules and understand their importance.”
