Uefa succeeds in ticket tout ban

Liverpool will play in the final against Italian side AC Milan

A High Court injunction against ticket touts in England has been won by Uefa, European football's governing body.

The legal move prevents the black market sale of tickets for next week's Champions League final between Italian side AC Milan and Liverpool in Turkey.

Counsel for Uefa, Adam Lewis, told the court unauthorised tickets could be invalid or could put fans in danger "in the wrong end of the ground".

Several websites in the UK and abroad have offered tickets from £300 to £750.

They have a face value of between £35 and £103, according to Uefa's website.

Mr Lewis said: "They are knowingly selling tickets in breach of the criminal law and they are leaving customers at risk."

Delighted

The court ordered Herts Box Office Ltd and Londonticketshop.co.uk to stop offering to sell or buy tickets for the game, in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday.

Lars-Christer Olsson, Uefa's chief executive, said he was "delighted" with the judgement.

The courts have sent a clear message that they will support Uefa in its efforts to protect the safety and security of Uefa events, and to help prevent the exploitation of football fans Lars-Christer Olsson Uefa

He said: "It is another important victory for Uefa in its efforts against black market tickets sales and the mercenary behaviour of a few individuals trying to trade off the name and reputation of Uefa.

"The courts have sent a clear message that they will support Uefa in its efforts to protect the safety and security of Uefa events, and to help prevent the exploitation of football fans."

Mr Justice Newman, at the High Court in London, banned anyone associated with the two companies from trading in tickets.

Refund offer

He also ordered them to hand over details of anyone who had tried to supply them with tickets. The injunction also covers these suppliers.

The companies must also offer refunds to everyone who has bought tickets from them.

Uefa said any black market tickets will be rendered void and the purchaser not be entitled to admission.

Later Uefa solicitor Jonathan Hammond said it was the second set of injunctions in relation to the final, and 20 other individuals had given undertakings that they wound not sell tickets.