RFU crackdown on black market tickets hits 200 mark

The Rugby Football Union has imposed sanctions on 41 clubs, constituent bodies, schools and individuals found to have contravened the 2009 RBS 6 Nations ticket terms and conditions for matches at Twickenham Stadium.

The measures form part of the Union's continued strategic plan objective to reduce the number of tickets sold on the black market and brings the number of sanctions handed out in the past two years to 211, ranging from a suspended 10 per cent reduction in entitlement to a four year total ticket ban.

RFU Business Operations Director Paul Vaughan said: "The fact that we have now imposed over 200 sanctions shows our commitment to reducing the number of tickets reaching the black market. We remain determined to take action against those who breach our ticketing terms and conditions by reselling them to unauthorised operators or even advertising tickets for resale."

The RFU's ticket terms and conditions allow member clubs to sell allocated tickets on to official licensed operators only (see notes to desks).

The sanctions, applicable from September 1, for misuse (including sale on auction websites like eBay or other ticket exchanges) are decided on an individual basis and are judged against the severity of the case in terms of the number of tickets, how they got onto the black market, the steps taken by the club to prevent misuse and whether or not they have offended before.

1.Clubs/Constituent Bodies
(a) Blaydon RFC received a 25% loss of allocation for 1 year.

(b) The following Clubs received a 25% loss of allocation but with 15% suspended for 1 year and the total loss suspended for the second year.

(i) Bristol RFC
(ii) Gloucestershire RFU
(iii) Sedgley Park RUFC

(c) The following Clubs received a 25% loss of allocation but with 10% suspended for 1 year and the total loss suspended for the second year:

(i) Battersea Ironside RFC
(ii) Belper RUFC
(iii) Newbold on Avon RFC
(iv) North Bristol RFC
(v) Oakmeadians RFC
(vi) Skipton RFC
(vii) Southwold RFC
(viii) Topsham RFC
(ix) Twickenham RFC

(d) Camberley RFC received a 10% loss of allocation for 2 years but the second year will be suspended.

(e) The following Clubs received a 10% loss of allocation but suspended for 2 years:

(i) Bedford Swifts RFC
(ii) Bolton RFC
(iii) Bradford & Bingley RUFC
(iv) Bridgnorth RFC
(v) Bury St Edmonds RFC
(vi) Chobham RFC
(vii) Clifton RFC
(viii) Consett & District RFC
(ix) Dunstablians RFC
(x) Durham County RFU
(xi) Grasshoppers RFC
(xii) London Irish RFC
(xiii) Mill Hill RFC
(xiv) Sheffield RFC
(xv) Stow on the Wold RFC
(xvi) Wellingborough RFC
(xvii) Worth Old Boys

2. Schools

(a) Bearwood College received a loss of their allocation for 1 year.

(b) Malbank School received a loss of their allocation, suspended for 2 years.

(c) High Arcal School received a loss of their allocation for 2 years, but with the second year suspended.

(d) Reigate Grammar School received a loss of allocation for 1 year, but suspended for 2 years.

3. Universities

Cambridge University RUFC and the University of Liverpool received a 25% loss of allocation but with 10% suspended for 1 year and the total loss suspended for the second year.

4. Debenture Holders

(a) Mr Laurence Delany received a loss of 2 debentures for 2 years.

(b) Mr James Chapman-Andrews and Mr Matt Prodger both received a loss of 2 debentures for 1 year, but suspended for 2 years.

5. Other

Mr James Haskell received a loss of allocation for three matches and a further loss of allocation until May 10, 2010 which was suspended.