Liverpool FC issues over 400 lifetime bans as police seize £1.2m from ticket touts
Police Operation Targets Ticket Touts
Liverpool FC has collaborated with Merseyside Police in an operation that has led to the seizure of more than £1.2 million in assets from organised ticket touts. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the illegal sale of tickets, both online and at match venues. The police operation specifically focused on the laundering of criminal proceeds derived from illicit ticket sales.
As a result of this joint effort, the club has issued 432 lifetime bans and 115 indefinite suspensions. These sanctions were primarily imposed for the unauthorised selling of season tickets, membership tickets, or hospitality tickets, which violated the club’s terms and conditions. A lifetime ban is a permanent exclusion, while an indefinite suspension typically has a minimum duration, after which the account holder can apply for reinstatement. Both types of sanctions offer a right to appeal, including an appeal to the Independent Football Ombudsman.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Suffield highlighted the partnership between the police and the club, stating that it benefits genuine fans and the general public. He affirmed that action would be taken to protect fans who become victims of touts when attempting to purchase tickets to support their team. The money seized from these assets was divided between Merseyside Police and the Home Office.
Club’s Ongoing Crackdown on Illegal Ticket Sales
The club’s efforts extend beyond asset seizures and bans. Last season alone, Liverpool FC analysed nearly 700,000 ticket registrations. This analysis led to the blocking or cancellation of 67,663 suspected fake accounts, with an additional 121,379 accounts currently under investigation. Furthermore, 3,847 tickets were cancelled during the 2025-26 season due to suspicious purchase activity and were subsequently re-released as general admission tickets, increasing availability for legitimate supporters.
There was also a notable increase in targeted stops conducted by the club on matchdays. These stops prevented access to the turnstiles for accounts flagged with suspicious activity. The number of such stops rose significantly from 381 in the 2024-25 season to 3,608 last year, representing an 847 per cent increase. These interventions occurred at Anfield, averaging 300 per home game, as well as at away matches in both the Premier League and European competitions.
The club also observed a 33 per cent increase in the identification and denial of entry or seizure of burner phones by Merseyside Police on matchdays last season. Supporters are advised against using burner phones to distribute tickets, as this can lead to suspension or cancellation of their season ticket or All Red membership and associated ticket access.
Broader Sanctions and Fan Guidance
Beyond ticket touting, the club’s Red Together initiative, which focuses on equality, diversity, and inclusion, highlighted 28 cases involving behavioural issues at Anfield. These cases resulted in various actions, including lifetime bans and indefinite suspensions. Specific instances included three for racist and homophobic abuse, 13 for inappropriate touching or language, four for assault, and one for tragedy chanting.
Liverpool FC has reiterated that the only authorised method to share a general admission ticket is through the club’s ticket forwarding service. Fans are strongly cautioned against purchasing tickets from unofficial online channels or sellers, as club research indicates that a high percentage of tickets listed on such sites are either non-existent or have been touted multiple times. The club encourages supporters to purchase all general admission tickets directly from LFC or through its official match break partners to ensure authenticity.
The club operates an official sanctions process where club officials and a member from an independent supporter association review cases and determine appropriate actions. Supporters found in possession of tickets not forwarded according to club terms or present at Anfield without a valid ticket face ejection by stewards or police. The club recently announced ticketing changes for the 2026-27 season following a comprehensive review.
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Source: bbc.com
