Liverpool's victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final triggered a huge clamour for tickets to the final that takes place in Paris this Saturday, May 28.
As ever, Liverpool's official ticket allocation of a meagre 19,618 barely made a dent in the overwhelming demand from fans desperate to cheer their team on from inside the Stade de France.
Despite the fact the French national stadium holds a capacity of over 80,000, just over half of the stadium is open to the 'UEFA family' and corporate sponsors, with many of these tickets finding their way into the hands of individuals looking to make a killing from the situation.
Touts profiteering from big sporting events is nothing new, of course. With just a few short days until the final, resale sites have thousands of tickets still available, with the cheapest prices starting at an eye-watering £1,700. Similar numbers have been seen in the previous two Champions League finals the Reds have been in under Jurgen Klopp.
In an official statement, Liverpool have today taken aim at social media sites where they claim over 50 accounts are "actively involved in selling, or offering to sell, Champions League final tickets online."
Needless to say, fans are warned against buying from such sellers with the risk of buying fraudulent tickets that won't get you inside the stadium on the day a very real, and potentially costly, one.
Liverpool's official statement reads: "Liverpool Football Club has called on social media companies to close more than 50 social media accounts and groups it believes are actively involved in selling, or offering to sell, Champions League final tickets online.
"The club has also identified 13 supporters who have offered their tickets for Saturday’s game against Real Madrid for sale online.
"Those fans have had their tickets cancelled, while their accounts are in the process of being investigated further, with the possibility of added sanctions to follow.
"The move comes following a recent warning reminding supporters to buy tickets from official sellers only. The club received an allocation of 19,618 tickets for the all-ticket fixture at Stade de France in Paris this weekend.
"There has unfortunately been an increase in the number of fans being defrauded, online in particular, by fake match ticket offers. If any supporter is offered a ticket online, they should report it to LFC here - and to Action Fraud .
"Liverpool FC will not stand idly by and watch people try to sell tickets they have been fortunate enough to get access to via the ballot.
"All reports of ticket touting, or online ticket fraud, will be investigated in line with the LFC sanctions process. If a supporter has been found to have offered a ticket for sale online, this could result in a lifetime ban for that individual.
"The club is also encouraging supporters to be diligent when providing any personal or payment details to persons they do not know.
"Liverpool FC continues to work closely with Merseyside Police and, where possible, will pass on the details of any supporters who have offered a ticket for sale online."
