“Take action” – Man United receive strong statement from charity after fans posed as disabled supporters

Manchester United fans who have posed as disabled supporters to get into away games have been warned by a leading charity that their actions have ‘damaging consequences’.

It was reported by MailOnline earlier this week that United had received several allegations about the ‘widespread misuse’ of tickets by a group of disabled fans.

These have either been passed on to non-disabled supporters directly or through a third party in breach of United’s ticket rules, with the recipients then posing as a disabled supporter to access the stadiums.

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The club then confirmed that it was aware of claims able-bodied fans have been ‘sitting in wheelchairs in order to access matches’.

Chas Banks, secretary of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association, labelled the individuals as “scumbags” and now Level Playing Field chairman Tony Taylor has spoken out on the situation at Old Trafford.

Level Playing Field is a registered charity in England and Wales. As stated on its website, it acts as a campaigning and advisory organisation for its membership and other parties across all sports.

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Taylor has urged United to take action against the imposters and believes that these actions can create large educational setbacks around disability.

“These allegations must be treated with extreme severity,” Level Playing Field chairman Tony Taylor said, as per MailOnline.

“Abuse of ticketing for disabled fans by non-disabled fans can directly deny opportunities to attend live sport and also sets us back so far on education around disability.

“Some of the rhetoric surrounding these reports online has been appalling. I myself am a part-time wheelchair user and will sometimes be seen using crutches instead.

“Misunderstanding of that is widespread and if non-disabled fans exploit ticketing for disabled fans, they increase suspicion and discrimination there, as well as for fans with nonvisible disabilities and those who may have fluctuating disabilities, in addition to directly denying access to the matchday through their selfishness.

‘This behaviour cannot be tolerated, and the club must take action to ensure that tickets for disabled fans go to disabled fans.”