Liverpool issue 432 life bans as battle against ticket touts heats up

Liverpool have turned up the heat in the battle against ticket touting, and their recent major campaign has already produced results.

According to the Guardian, more than £1.2 million in assets have been seized and hundreds of supporters permanently banned as part of a joint operation with Merseyside Police.

The initiative was launched to tackle illegal ticket sales and the criminal network profiting from them.

Working alongside Merseyside Police’s economic crime team, Liverpool’s investigators analysed almost 700,000 ticket registrations during the 2024/25 season to identify suspicious activity and trace money linked to unlawful ticket sales.

They have already detained more than £1.2m in assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Two individuals have been convicted, while another is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. 

Funds recovered through the process will be shared between Merseyside Police and the Home Office.

Liverpool also took firm action against misuse of its ticketing system. 

During the 2025/26 season, the club blocked or cancelled more than 67,000 suspected fake accounts, while over 121,000 additional accounts are still under investigation.

A total of 432 supporters were banned for life from attending matches, with another 115 accounts suspended indefinitely. 

Those suspended will typically have to wait around three years before they can apply to have their accounts reinstated.

Most of the disciplinary action was linked to the unauthorised resale of season tickets, membership tickets and hospitality packages. 

However, the club also imposed bans for other forms of unacceptable behaviour, including racist and homophobic abuse, assault, inappropriate conduct and tragedy-related chanting.

Liverpool’s efforts to combat ticket touting have taken more than just online investigations.

Officers on matchday operations duty around Anfield identified or seized one-third more burner phones than in the previous season.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Suffield said protecting genuine supporters is the priority. 

“We will always take action to protect genuine fans who fall victim to touts when all they are trying to do is simply purchase tickets to support their team,” he said.

“Our activities to target touts operating both online and on match days will continue, and we work closely with supporters and clubs to keep identifying ticket touts and doing all we can to prevent them taking advantage of supporters and spoiling people’s experience of football and the city.”