Cashing In On Barcelona Match

(Written by Tactful Sheik)

Ticket touts are attempting to cash in on Dundee United's glamour friendly against Barcelona next month, by selling tickets on eBay for around £100 each.

The pre-season friendly against the Catalan club, on July 26th, is a complete sell-out - after all 14,000 tickets were sold within a week of being made available.

However, Dundee United have been approached by concerned supporters, asking the club to take action to prevent unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of ticket-less fans.

In the weekly eNewsletter, United warned supporters against trying to profit from the visit of Ronaldinho and co.

"While we would prefer that all tickets go to those who originally purchased them, we appreciate that sometimes tickets do become 'spare` for various reasons," announced the club.

"In these circumstances, we do not of course have an issue with fans selling these to other fans - particularly Dundee United fans - to cover the costs."

"However, the conditions of sale of match tickets (detailed on the reverse of the ticket) expressly prohibit them being sold at more than face value."

"In the event of a breach of these conditions we can cancel the ticket and retain the purchase price."

"It is also against eBay`s own guidelines to offer football match tickets for auction on their site."

Although, there is some confusion over eBay's guidelines on the sale of football tickets, because it only appears to prohibit the sale of tickets involving matches English or Welsh clubs.

"The resale of tickets for football matches is highly regulated in England and Wales for a number of reasons, including security at sports events," states the eBay guidelines.

"Criminal law often prohibits the resale of such football tickets. For these reasons, all listings for football tickets to association football matches occurring in England or Wales, or involving an English or Welsh national or club team playing outside England or Wales, are prohibited."

Dundee United, on the other hand, are allowed to capitalize on Barcelona's visit and have increased the number of corporate hospitality packages in an attempt to cash-in on the demand.

Over 600 hospitality packages have now been sold for the match, which includes an additional 200 'clients` who will enjoy their pre-match meal at the Hilton, before being buses up to Tannadice in time for the 8pm kick-off.

Over 20,000 tickets have also been sold for the pre-season game between Hearts and Barcelona at Murrayfield on the 28th July.

Sales were boosted with the news that Ronaldinho will not be taking part in the Copa America, but there are still another 40,000 tickets available for Barca's 2nd Scottish friendly.

Meanwhile, autograph hunters have been offering Dundee United thousands of pounds for football shirts which have been signed by Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.