WRU TAKES ACTION IN TICKET ROW

Following an initial review of all cases, after which it was decided that no further action should be taken against 10 clubs and organisations, a special panel was convened to consider evidence against a further 26 clubs and organisations.

Of the clubs whose tickets were offered for sale on e-bay, no further action will be taken against Aberavon, Abercrave, Blaenavon, Cilfynydd, Loughor  or Pontllanfraith, although these clubs will need to provide detailed records relating to the distribution of their ticket allocations at the end of the season. The same applies to the following clubs whose tickets were found in the hands of ticket touts: Bedwas, Bridgend, Denbigh, Ebbw Vale, Felinfoel, Llantrisant and Vardre.

The WRU’s ticket policy states that clubs should be given first refusal on any available international match tickets, over and above their given ticket allocation. Following the panel’s review of evidence nine clubs and associations have received a caution and been told they will not be offered the option to purchase any extra tickets for the remainder of the season.

These clubs and associations are: Cardiff & District Youth Rugby Union, Hendy, Mountain Ash, Nantyffyllon, Neath, St Albans, Trinant, Welsh Schools Rugby Union and Ystrad Rhondda. These clubs and organisations must also provide detailed records relating to the distribution of their ticket allocations at the end of the season.

A reduction in allocations of eight tickets for each of the three RBS Six Nations matches was imposed on Fleur de Lys, while the outcome of the cases against Pentyrch, Penybanc and Taibach are outstanding pending further proof of internal action from the clubs in question.

“We want to thank the clubs and organisations for their thorough co-operation with us on this very serious matter. The vast majority have acted professionally and honourably on this issue,” said WRU chief executive Steve Lewis.

“They have led internal investigations into individuals or organisations who have acted disreputably and have sanctioned them accordingly.

While we will continue to come down hard on any person or organisation who treats our policy with contempt, we will also continue to help and advise those clubs and organisations who, like us, want to ensure these tickets remain in the hands of true rugby fans. To this end, we will be producing a best practice appendix to the WRU ticket policy which will be updated at the end of the season.”