Level Playing Field is aware of serious allegations in relation to the misuse of wheelchair user tickets at Manchester United away fixtures.
Exploitation of tickets for disabled fans by non-disabled fans has the potential to deny disabled fans from accessing matches altogether, increase the suspicion and discrimination fans with non-visible disabilities face and likely result in changes to processes which could impose additional barriers to disabled fans following their club.
Allegations must be evidence based and the club needs to take action to ensure the system cannot be exploited.
The potential for an issue such as this to arise is exasperated by issues around accessibility in many away ends, as raised by disabled fans through Level Playing Field’s Annual Fan Surveys.
Chair of Level Playing Field, Tony Taylor, said: “These allegations must be treated with extreme severity.
“Abuse of ticketing for disabled fans by non-disabled fans can directly deny opportunities to attend live sport and also sets us back so far on education around disability.
“Some of the rhetoric surrounding these reports online has been appalling. I myself am a part-time wheelchair user and will sometimes be seen using crutches instead.
“Misunderstanding of that is widespread and if non-disabled fans exploit ticketing for disabled fans, they increase suspicion and discrimination there, as well as for fans with non-visible disabilities and those who may have fluctuating disabilities, in addition to directly denying access to the matchday through their selfishness.
“This behaviour cannot be tolerated, and the club must take action to ensure that tickets for disabled fans go to disabled fans.”
Disabled supporters with concerns around access and ticketing can contact Level Playing Field: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk