Chelsea tackle tout with '340 memberships'

General view of Chelsea badge at Stamford BridgeImage source, Getty Images
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Chelsea have sent an email outlining their battle against ticket touts, including action against one who had "340 memberships".

The club have sent an email to assure supporters that they take touting "seriously" and to "re-emphasise the robust action we are taking every day as a club to tackle this and stop those participating in this illegal activity".

The scale of the problem has also been communicated to supporters, with one tout said to be using "340 membership accounts linked to the same ticket" for January's match against West Ham.

More than 1,000 people are said to have been stopped entering the stadium, 1,500 membership accounts cancelled and four arrests made last season, the highest of any Premier League club, according to the email.

The email, seen by BBC Sport, also explains the club have:

  • "An investigative team who track ticket purchasing and membership accounts, including a team of uniformed and plain clothes staff to investigate ticket misuse, identify and apprehend touts."

  • "In-person seat checks at home matches."

  • "Set up a hotline where we use information to investigate potential touts."

  • "Support the police in obtaining Football Banning Orders for convicted touts."

The issue of touting is also having a major impact on the increasingly tepid atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, which has been highlighted by both the previous manager Mauricio Pochettino and current boss Enzo Maresca.

A small singing section of 120 season ticket holders in the Shed End has also been trialled at the recent home game against FC Copenhagen in the Conference League.

It will be expanded to 150 season ticket holders when Legia Warsaw visit in the quarter-final next month.