The fixture between Chelsea and Manchester United is classified as “high risk”
(Picture: Getty Images)Manchester United fans are threatening to take legal action Hammersmith and Fulham Council as a row over their ticket allocation for next week’s match at Chelsea rumbles on.
The match at Stamford Bridge was originally due to take place on Sunday, October 23 at 4.30pm, but last week it was moved to the day before due to Chelsea’s Champions League match in Salzburg on the following Tuesday.
Manchester United had sold their full allocation for the match (2,994 tickets), but under the safety certificate issued by Hammersmith and Fulham Council for the new kick-off time they are only allowed 2,370 due to policing concerns.
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) are now threatening legal action and their solicitors have written to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
"Tickets had been sold for this game and fans are being treated like second-class citizens,” said a MUST spokesman. “For a Supporters Trust to engage lawyers is always a last resort, but enough is enough.”
The fixture between Chelsea and Manchester United is classified as “high risk” by the Metropolitan Police and, as a result, it should kick off before 4.45pm.
That is, for safety purposes, the agreed cut-off time for London clubs on weekends and there would have been no issues if the game was being played at its original time and date.
The match being moved to Saturday evening for TV purposes means that a compromise has had to be found when issuing the safety certificate.
Originally United were told they would only have 1,500 tickets but, after appealing, that went up to 2,370.
MUST, however, believe they should have the full away quota and are threatening to take legal action against Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
A solicitors’ letter to Hammersmith and Fulham Council read: "We write to request you urgently issue a fresh safety certificate for the above fixture with allowance for the full ticket allocation of 3,000 MUFC fans.
“The decision is challenged on the basis that there is no rational reason to reduce the ticket allocation for away fans at a 5.30pm kick-off when it is accepted that there would be a full ticket allocation at a fixture beginning no later than 4.45pm.
“If we do not receive a reply to this letter from you by the above deadline for response, or if you confirm that you refuse to reverse your decision, then we reserve the right to commence judicial review proceedings against you without further notice.”
