FA takes tough stance on tickets

The Football Association will consider legal action against anyone who sold tickets illegally for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Football Supporters' Federation plans to allow fans who bought tickets through unofficial channels to report details on their website.

And the FA can use records to trace the original owners of Wembley tickets.

"Ticket touting not only rips off genuine fans, it is also against the law," an FA spokesman said.

"The FA and other sports governing bodies have long been pressing for tougher legislation against ticket touting and we want to see it rigorously enforced.

"We will also consider legal action of our own against unauthorised sales when appropriate."

Fans who bought tickets through unofficial avenues would need to help by listing their seat, row and block number.

FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke met with FA officials this week for a general discussion about issues for fans, with black-market tickets on the agenda.

"We want to encourage a campaign for people who paid over the odds for a ticket to make themselves known to us or the FA," said Clarke.

"The FA has a complete record of where every ticket went. The FA think they know the name and address of every person against every ticket, so if we can get them the seat number they can trace back who put it on the black market.

"The people who bought them would not face action and the people who sold them would be identified."