United ask Liverpool about fan safety in Seville

MANCHESTER UNITED will seek safety advice from old foes Liverpool ahead of their Champions League trip to Seville. United are keen to avoid the problems reported by fans of the Merseyside club during their visit to the Spanish city during their Champions League group game in November. Liverpool launched an investigation after dozens of supporters alleged they were attacked by local police, with some denied entry to the stadium for the 3-3 draw. That match kicked off with large parts of the away section empty. Travelling fans said they were turned away or ordered to sit in seats they had not been allocated. Others claim they were assaulted. Anfield officials have collated a number of complaints which have been passed to the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group, who are compiling a dossier of incidents involving fans of foreign clubs at Spanish grounds. Supporters of Leicester, who paid £51, reported similar treatment at the hands of local police during their visit for a Champions League last-16 tie in February. Meanwhile, Old Trafford officials will not step in and subsidise entry for the fixture after Sevilla announced ticket prices described by fans groups as ‘exorbitant’. United have been allocated 2,650 tickets, priced at £89 and £133. Liverpool were charged £54 at the same venue but the La Liga club defended the pricing, on the basis that this is a new round. Some called on United to chip in and bring costs down. The club declined to comment but it is thought they are reluctant to do so as they feel it may set a precedent and encourage future opponents to hike their prices. Instead, they are likely to write to UEFA to express their concerns.