IMUSA has not given up on its campaign against the plc's 'ticket tax' and this week referred the matter to the Office of fair Trading.
The OFT is currently conducting a survey into the level of commission charged on ticket sales and IMUSA has asked that the United's practice of adding 3% to all ticket sales be included in the OFT's considerations.
IMUSA has asked the OFT to investigate United's 'micro-monopoly':
a 3% levy on Season Tickets when purchased using a credit or debit card despite a statement made in the Club's Charter
a 3% levy on 2004 FA Cup final tickets, costing fans an additional £50,000
fans can no longer buy a match ticket to an FA Cup, League Cup or European Cup match at Old Trafford without using a Credit or Debit card, and thereby incurring the same 3% fee.
'We feel Manchester United are operating as a "micro monopoly" in levying these charges, as supporters simply will not switch to an alternative product in the way that people will move from one supermarket to another if they feel they are being charged too much.
Aside from the exorbitant processing fee that is charged, we at The Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association (IMUSA - www.imusa.org) have grave concerns about the notion of only allowing tickets to be purchased using a Credit or Debit card. We feel that United, and indeed other clubs, are putting barriers in the way of younger and less affluent supporters wishing to attend football matches.'