Could this year spell the swan song for the scourge of the ticket touts?

Controversies around ticketing for sporting events and major concerts have raged throughout 2017 — and the new year brings with it promises of legislation that will curb touting. Joe Leogue looks at the pros and cons of such a law, and asks those involved if it will work.

Back in those halcyon days of October, before Christian Eriksen ran riot in Lansdowne Road and we actually thought we were going to the World Cup, the touts made hay in the glorious sunshine of our optimism.

Tickets for Ireland’s crunch qualifier against Denmark in Dublin were snapped up by eager believers, many of whom managed to secure the precious passes in advance presales.