FA ponder tout hunt

The Football Association will consider legal action against people who sold tickets illegally for the FA Cup final at the new Wembley.

Touts are set to be targeted by the FA, who can use their records to trace the original owners of the tickets for Saturday’s showpiece, when Chelsea defeated Manchester United.

Fans who bought tickets through unofficial avenues would need to help by listing their seat, row and block number.

The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) plan to assist by allowing fans to report the details on their website before giving the information to Soho Square officials.

FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke met with FA officials this week for a general discussion about issues for fans, with black-market tickets on the agenda.

“We want to encourage a campaign for people who paid over the odds for a ticket to make themselves known to us or the FA,” said Clarke.

“The FA have a complete record of where every ticket went. The FA think they know the name and address of every person against every ticket, so if we can get them the seat number they can trace back who put it on the black market.

“The people who bought them would not face action and the people who sold them would be identified.”

An official spokesman reiterated the FA’s stance against ticket touting.

He said: “Ticket touting not only rips off genuine fans, it is also against the law.

“The FA and other sports governing bodies have long been pressing for tougher legislation against ticket touting and we want to see it rigorously enforced.

“We will also consider legal action of our own against unauthorised sales when appropriate.”