All eyes will be on Athletic Bilbao this week as they host Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals.
It’s a chance for the hosts of this year’s Europa League final to prepare for the main event in May.
Manchester United fans who travel across Europe to follow the team encountered issues with French authorities on their last European trip, when the Red Devils drew 2-2 with Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.
In Lyon, United fans were subjected to a mandatory one-hour holdback and were tear-gassed to prevent access to the toilets. French authorities also stressed that every United fan had to collect a wristband from the Eurexpo Conference Centre, 10km away from the ground.
These are the types of reports Athletic Club want to avoid ahead of the Europa League final at San Mames, so they are issuing plans to ensure the night goes smoothly for everyone in attendance.
Athletic Club threaten touts with major fines ahead of Man Utd clash
Athletic Club are taking a ‘very serious’ stance on touting from their own fans ahead of United’s visit this week.
Football fans in Spain are excited by the opportunity of seeing United up close, especially those loyal to Athletic Club, hoping to cost Ruben Amorim’s side a place in the final.
Athletic Club have informed their members via a statement that they will pursue ‘ticket scalping cases’ for the semi-final at San Mames.
Anyone found guilty of reselling tickets will face fines ranging from €1,200 (£1,020) to €30,000 (£25,500), depending on the severity of the offence.
Athletic Club don’t want any negative press ahead of the final, therefore, are threatening to impose sanctions on those guilty of reselling tickets.
Five facts about San Mames
United hope their game at San Mames on Thursday night is the first of two trips to Athletic Club’s stadium before the 2024/25 campaign ends.
Without further ado, here are five interesting facts about San Mames.
- The new San Mames was inaugurated in 2013 in place of the San Mames stadium, which had been the home of Athletic Club since 1913.
- Athletic Club beat Celta Vigo in their first league match at San Mames.
- Manchester United have never played at the new San Mames stadium.
- The first visiting team to win at San Mames was Atletico Madrid on January 29, 2014.
- San Mames boasts a capacity of 53,289
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