Dundee Utd relent over ticket row

Dundee United have reluctantly agreed to accept Celtic's demand for a 5% handling fee to sell visitors' tickets for Tannadice on 17 August.

However, United also plan to sell some tickets directly to away fans and will reduce the number given to Celtic.

"This decision was taken principally as a result of being informed that unless we did so, Celtic would take no tickets at all," said a club spokesman.

"Such action could result in a potential loss of of over £100,000."

Rangers and Celtic wrote to the other 10 top flight clubs to inform them of their plans to charge a handling fee to sell tickets on to their travelling fans.

Falkirk, who open at home to Rangers on 9 August, have already taken the decision to sell away tickets themselves.

And the United spokesman added: "We are very disappointed at the way this matter has been conducted from the start, with no attempt at discussion or negotiation.

"Having looked at all the practical options available to us, we have reluctantly accepted the new arrangements.

"At a time when it is well known that all provincial football clubs are under severe financial pressure and that strict budgets have just been completed for the year ahead, the loss of this income - and from other fixtures involving the Old Firm - could be catastrophic to a club such as Dundee United.

"The board has a duty to ensure the financial well being of Dundee United and could not afford to take this risk.

"At this late stage prior to ticket sales commencing therefore, the choices left to us were either to bear the cost of these additional charges ourselves or to recoup them by increasing the ticket price.

"As we had no desire to impose a financial penalty on supporters - both visiting and home supporters - to meet these new third party charges, we have decided to bear the cost on this occasion and review matters in early course."