Pro’s Wimbledon row goes to different court
British player who caused Queens upset in 2004 is accused of breaking strict rules governing ticket sales
AFTER causing a shock upset when he beat Mark Philippoussis in straight sets at Queen’s in 2004, Ian Flanagan, the former tennis professional, was furious to be denied a wild card at Wimbledon.
“It was unbelievable that I didn’t get a Wimbledon wild card – the LTA need to take a good hard look at themselves,” he told the BBC at the time.
Now Mr Flanagan is in a new Wimbledon row, this time with the All England Lawn Tennis Club – one that has gone all the way to the High Court. The
Welsh-born former world No 503 has been accused of breaking the strict rules of the private members’ club by selling on tickets as part of a champagne and tennis hospitality package at last year’s championships.
Mr Flanagan, 38, who won gold at the Youth Olympics in 1996, says he bought tickets for friends and family but is alleged to have sold them on to private customers in breach of the resale rules.
When questioned, he said he bought the eight non-transferable tickets to the 2019 Championship for his family, friends, and accountant. But when the ticket holders were interviewed by a solicitor, the club allegedly discovered that they worked for a company that had bought a hospitality package organised by Mr Flanagan.
According to a writ lodged with the
High Court, the package included a champagne breakfast at the nearby Imagine IF Group Host House, transport to the tennis ground to watch the Championships, and drinks and a barbecue at the property afterwards.
The AELTC is suing Mr Flanagan for damages of up to £15,000 for unlawful trading of tickets, breach of contract and trespass. He disputes the claims.
The former pro is accused of “wrongfully interfering” with tickets to the Championships and of taking part in an unlawful means conspiracy. The AELTC is also seeking damages for passing off, copyright, and trademark infringement from the use of the Wim- bledon crossed tennis rackets symbol.
The club produces two types of tickets, those which are non-transferable and debentures, which can be sold on.
Ordinary tickets can be bought through public ballots run by the AELTC and the Lawn Tennis Association, open only to members, and via Ticketmaster. All are printed with a warning that as a condition of sale tickets may not be resold or transferred.
But the club alleges its Wimbledon security staff saw two men hand over tickets to two individuals near the entrance gate on July 11 last year, and discovered that they were non-transferable tickets, which had been issued to Mr Flanagan. Wimbledon then allegedly discovered that Mr Flanagan had a total of eight non-transferable tickets for July 11 and July 12 which it claims he had sold on as part of a hospitality package.
The AELTC says Mr Flanagan knew that ticket sales were restricted, as he had been attending the Championships for many years since the ban was first enforced in 1990.
As well as damages the AELTC is also seeking a permanent injunction banning Mr Flanagan, of Prestbury, Cheshire, from buying or selling nontransferable tickets, and from using its crossed racquets symbol.
Rejecting the AELTC’S accusations, Mr Flanagan told The Daily Telegraph: “I do not accept the basis of the claim. I intend to defend it robustly and I have instructed solicitors. Unfortunately, I cannot comment further due to the ongoing proceedings.”