Clubs set up online ticket exchange

Football fans can now buy and sell unwanted tickets legally online in a move that could strike a fatal blow to ticket touts.

Two of the Premiership's biggest sides, Chelsea and Manchester United, have put aside on-pitch rivalries to set up ticket exchanges on the web.

The sites allow season-ticket holders to advertise spare tickets to other club members. Prices are fixed, and calculated as a fraction of the cost of a season ticket.

The sites are hosted by US firm viagogo which runs ticket exchanges for American football, basketball and ice hockey teams.

The firm takes commission on the sale of the ticket, with fans receiving 85% of its face value.

The sites, which are already popular in the US, are expected to spread to other Premiership sides and other sports.

The company said exchange sites protect fans from unscrupulous touts because they are guaranteed by the clubs.

Touts who are banned from buying tickets will also be barred from the ticket exchanges, the clubs said.