10 January 2008
STATEMENT FROM IAN RITCHIE, ALL ENGLAND CLUB CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CONCERNING THE UK HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT ON TICKET TOUTING DATED 10 JANUARY 2008
“Wimbledon has long been a leader in the fight against ticket touts. We will continue to protect vigorously, first, the right of fans to buy tickets at face value and only through officially accredited supply routes and, second, not to be conned either by touts selling tickets that are not what they purport to be or by unofficial secondary market activity.
“It is deeply disappointing therefore that after all this time we still appear to be no nearer a proper regulatory solution to this problem. The long-term future of the sports and entertainment industry ultimately depends on the integrity of the partnership between fan and event. We firmly believe that a voluntary solution would be totally impractical and the best way forward is through effective legislation.”
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