Wigan breaking EFL rules and overcharging Newcastle fans for away tickets?

Wigan v Newcastle tickets are now on sale to all NUFC season ticket holders.

The club confirming on Friday morning that the allocation for Newcastle fans is 4,800 for the game on Wednesday 14 December.

Newcastle United Official Announcement:

‘Tickets for Newcastle’s Sky Bet Championship game at Wigan Athletic will go on sale to season ticket holders with zero loyalty points on Friday morning.

The club was given 4,800 seats for the game on Wednesday, 14th December, and tickets initially went on sale to fans with 50 or more points. From 10am on Friday, all season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets for the fixture.

They are priced at £25 for adults, £22 for seniors (65 and above), £20 for under-18s and £10 for under-11s.

Supporters who buy concessionary tickets are advised that they should carry ID with them at the game. Should any supporter be found trying to use a concessionary ticket to which they are not entitled to, the ticket will be seized without recompense.

Anyone under the age of 11 should be accompanied by an adult.’

However, unless I’m missing something, it does appear that Newcastle supporters are being seriously overcharged.

A week ago there was the following announcement by Wigan for the game:

Wigan Official Announcement Friday 11 November:

‘Newcastle United match tickets on sale from Friday 11 November

Supporters urged to purchase in advance to avoid increase on matchday

Match day tickets for the Sky Bet League Championship match against Newcastle United on Wednesday 14 December at the DW Stadium will be on sale from Friday 11 November.

Supporters are being urged to purchase in advance to avoid the price rise on matchday

Prices for home supporters are as follows.

Adults – £20 advance / £27 on day

Over 65s – £18 advance / £24 on day

Under 18s – £10 advance / £20 on day

Under 11s – £5 advance / £10 on the day

There are no Under 5 prices as this is an evening match.’

So Wigan fans can buy tickets today for £20/£18/£10/£5, yet Newcastle supporters buying them today would have to pay £25/£22/£20/£10.

The prices are especially bad when it comes to Under 18s and Under 11s, with young Newcastle fans paying twice what their Wigan counterparts are paying if buying tickets in advance.

As you can see below, the EFL rules state that away fans must have ‘the same opportunity to take advantage of pre-booking discounts that apply to home supporters’.

EFL Rule  34.2.2 states:

‘Tickets are to be made available on a sale or return basis and must be ordered by the Away Club at least five weeks before the League Match to which they relate.

The Home Club must deliver those tickets to the Away Club at the latest four weeks before the League Match to which they relate.  Where any match is arranged at shorter notice the above steps shall be taken as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Visiting Supporters should also have the same opportunity to take advantage of pre-booking discounts that apply to home supporters.’