Furious United fan groups unite under one banner, issue a strongly worded statement against controversial INEOS call

Several Manchester United fan groups have released a joint, strongly worded statement against the club’s unfair decision to suspend season tickets as part of a move to stop illegal reselling. Controversial action Over the past few days, United have made contact with fans who used six or more devices to access accounts linked to the club or to forward tickets. United believe that this suggests the possibility of purchasing tickets with a view to reselling them for a higher price. Members are only allowed to forward tickets to other members or sell them back to the club. Those contacted have been asked to clarify why multiple accounts were accessed, identify the differing devices used and provide photo ID as proof of validity. What began as an operation to clamp down on touting has however seen some genuine supporters threatened with bans or withdrawal of their season tickets. This has galvanised fan groups, who have issued a statement condemning United’s decision and calling for a fair and accountable process. Uproar The statement, which has been released by the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) reads, “We fully support the Manchester United Fans’ Forum letter and the principles it sets out. The issues raised are not about defending ticket touting or abuse of the Club’s ticketing system. Professional touting, automated purchasing and those who exploit supporters for financial gain have no place at Manchester United and deserve robust action.” “However, that action must be fair, proportionate and transparent. Long-standing supporters who have followed Manchester United for decades, often across multiple generations of the same family, should never feel they are being treated as suspects without clear evidence, due process or a meaningful opportunity to respond to the allegations made against them.” “The current approach has created a growing perception among supporters of a “Ban first and ask questions later” process. That is not how trust is built, nor is it consistent with the standards of fairness that loyal supporters should expect from their football club. Investigations should establish the facts before sanctions are imposed, particularly where the potential consequence is the loss of a Season Ticket and relationships with the Club built over many decades.” “The Fans’ Forum has rightly called on the Club to pause the issuing of further suspensions and to halt any cancellation of Season Tickets while meaningful discussions take place. We fully support that request. Taking time to review the current approach, engage with supporter representatives and restore confidence is in the interests of both the Club and its supporters.” “The principles outlined in the Fans’ Forum letter recognise something fundamental. The Club and its supporters share the same objective: ensuring tickets are used fairly by genuine Manchester United supporters while protecting the integrity of the ticketing system.” “That objective will only be achieved through trust, transparency, proportionate enforcement, better-designed systems and meaningful engagement with supporters, not by creating an environment where loyal fans fear losing relationships with the Club that have been built over decades. This is also a significant moment for supporter representation.” “For the first time, supporter organisations from across the fanbase have come together to support a common position. While each group has its own perspective and priorities, we are united by our commitment to protecting Manchester United, its supporters and the unique supporter culture that has been built over generations.” “When genuine supporters face issues that affect supporter culture, fan representation, affordability, ticketing or the future of the match-going experience, we will continue to work together wherever possible. A united supporter movement is stronger, more representative and better placed to protect the interests of current and future generations of Manchester United supporters.” United are next in action on Friday when they face Rosenborg in their second pre-season friendly. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!