A large number of supporters joined a march toward Old Trafford in response to a call from the group The 1958, which urged fans to “unite” against what it described as a “season ticket ban scandal,” claiming the club’s management had “crossed the line.” The protest followed Manchester United’s announcement that it had cancelled 685 season tickets, stating the action was part of an operation that dismantled organised ticket resale networks.
However, the move has sparked widespread anger among supporters, with concerns that “innocent” fans may face penalties due to the investigations. The Red Army supporters’ group announced on the eve of the Manchester City match that it would refrain from raising flags and banners during the game in protest at the club’s handling of the ticket resale issue.
Protesters chanted against the Glazer family and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe outside the Bishop Blaize pub near Old Trafford, amid green and gold fireworks. Fans held a banner that read: “You take everything from the fans and ban us for no reason. High prices driven by greed.” The protests extended to the Munich Tunnel at the stadium, where chants demanding the Glazer family leave were heard in front of the entrance reserved for club board members.
Last month, Manchester United announced that an independent company had uncovered organised and widespread ticket resale operations following a review of account activity on the club’s ticket resale platform between March and June. The club acknowledged that the investigations “caused great concern and distress to some fans” and that it had underestimated the extent of username and password sharing, admitting that some supporters may have felt they were treated unfairly.