IMUSA SCORE ANOTHER VICTORY

This IMUSA press release just in:

Manchester United visited Germany on September 24^th 2002 for a Champion League Phase 2 game versus Bayer Leverkusen.

In line with recent trends (as to the pricing of tickets to supporters of English football clubs competing in Europe by clubs in Continental Europe), Supporters of Manchester United were charge almost double the price charged to supporters of our hosts.

This was in clear breach of UEFA competition rules, which state that tickets offered to supporters of visiting clubs must be of equal cost to comparable tickets on offer to supporters of the home club.

IMUSA complained at the prices charge by Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester United Football Club in turn took our complaint to UEFA where their disciplinary committee has reviewed this.

IMUSA have today been informed that UEFA have found in favour for the Supporters of Manchester United and that they should receive refunds to the value of the difference between what they will have paid and the true value of tickets on sale to supporters of Bayer Leverkusen. Whilst this value is not yet confirmed, we believe it to be significant.

IMUSA Vice Chair Michael Meade said:

“Although it has taken a while to resolve, IMUSA acknowledges the efforts made by Manchester United and UEFA since IMUSA alerted them both to this flagrant abuse of ticket prices.”

“Following on from our game in Nantes last year, when IMUSA successfully forced FC Nantes to reduce their prices from their intention to charge us three times as much as their own supporters. This shows IMUSA will not allow football clubs in Europe to attempt to rip off United supporters. In addition whilst rumours circulate that Bayer Leverkusen have been fined by UEFA, it serves as a warning to all football clubs competing in Europe that UEFA are no longer turning a blind eye to this practise”