Liverpool FC and local police have issued 432 lifetime bans and seized over £1.2 million in assets following an investigation into illicit ticket sales.

Liverpool FC and Merseyside police have concluded a joint operation targeting organized ticket touting, resulting in the seizure of more than £1.2 million in assets. The investigation, which analyzed nearly 700,000 ticket registrations from last season, also led to the issuance of 432 lifetime bans. This marks the first collaboration of its kind between a Premier League club and a local police authority to address the laundering of criminal proceeds from ticket sales.

Investigation and Enforcement Actions

The investigation utilized the Proceeds of Crime Act to detain assets, which will be divided between the Home Office and Merseyside police. To date, two individuals have been convicted, with another court case scheduled for next month. Liverpool also addressed digital fraud by cancelling 67,663 suspected fake accounts, while an additional 121,379 accounts remain under investigation. Beyond lifetime bans, the club issued 115 indefinite suspensions, requiring account holders to wait an average of three years before applying for reinstatement. While most penalties were for unauthorized ticket sales, the club also issued bans for instances of racist and homophobic abuse, assault, inappropriate behavior, and tragedy chanting.

Match Day Operations

Police and club investigations conducted outside Anfield on match days resulted in a 33% increase in the identification or seizure of burner phones used by touts. Detective Chief Inspector Nick Suffield of the Merseyside police economic crime team stated that the force will continue to target touts operating online and at match venues. Authorities have advised supporters to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized sources to prevent financial loss and potential entry refusal.