BRIGHTON and Hove Albion bosses have banned nearly 250 supporters since the start of the season for ticket touting.

The problem has got so bad that nearly 100 supporters were turned away at the turnstiles for the most recent match against Newcastle, the club said.

A club spokesman said that tickets for Albion matches should only be purchased directly from the club.

He added that for selected games, a small allocation may also be made available to purchase through Ticketmaster. These will be only ever be sold at face value.

The spokesman added: “If you pay more than face value or have bought from a tout or an online ticket agency, your ticket will be invalid, and you are likely to be refused entry to the stadium or ejected.”

The club issued a warning before the start of Albion’s first season in the Premier League.

Club bosses feared ticket touting may became a bigger problem with the demand for tickets at the Amex.

Speaking back in August, after tickets to Albion’s first two away games appeared on unahtorised websites and on social media, club chief executive Paul Barber said,”It is concerning and frustrating that tickets purporting to be for the visitors’ section at our upcoming away fixtures are being offered for sale in this way, particularly as many fans with the required loyalty points have missed out.

“It is also disappointing that fans, with the necessary loyalty points, have purchased tickets and chosen to offer them for re-sale, and, in some cases, over and above the face value price rather than attend the match to support the team.

“It appears that these individuals have no intention of attending the match, and have bought tickets simply to profiteer, gain loyalty points, or both.

“We would remind these individuals that the unauthorised sale or transfer of tickets to a football match is a criminal offence under UK law.

“The simple message to all our fans is to only purchase via the club’s official ticket website, and not to allow these individuals to benefit.”

In recent years the government has introduced various legislation in an attempt to crackdown on ticket touting.

Those found guilty can receive a fine, which can go into the thousands of pounds. Club’s can also apply to hand out banning orders to the touts.

Anyone who has concerns about the legitimacy of tickets they have bought can contact the club by email at supporter.services@bhafc.co.uk.

  • Have you been unable to get into a match because you had bought a ticket from a tout? Contact The Argus by emailing news@theargus.co.uk