Feature

Tottenham’s Wembley opener could break Premier League record

Tottenham Hotspur could still break the Premier League attendance record when they host Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday despite having been told they are not able to put tickets on full general sale.

The current top mark in the 25-year history of the league was set in January 2007 when 76,073 watched Manchester United face Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

It is believed that more than 70,000 tickets have already been sold for this weekend’s Wembley game, with that figure including Chelsea’s 3,000-seat allocation.

Spurs have been given permission to use Wembley’s full seat allocation of 90,000 for every home match, but restrictions have been put in place on the Chelsea fixture following discussions with the stadium’s Safety Advisory Group, which is made up of representatives from the Local Authority, the Metropolitan Police, the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

In a bid to prevent away supporters from purchasing seats in home sections, only Spurs fans who were registered on the club’s database before July 1, 2017, are permitted to purchase seats during the restricted general sale window.

According to Press Association Sport, it is likely similar sales restrictions could be implemented for other high-profile matches later in the season.

A statement from Brent Council issued to Press Association Sport read: “The stadium must operate in line with the safety standards which are agreed by the Police, Local Council and Fire Brigade.

“It is standard practice for games of this nature to not go on general sale so that away fans do not buy tickets intended for home fans.”

Meanwhile, Spurs fans are now able to resell their tickets for the Chelsea game via the club’s new Tottenham Ticket Exchange.

The system was criticised when it was launched recently as it officially only allows individual match tickets to be put up for sale once a game sells out. However, the club confirmed at the time that it reserves the right to open or close the exchange at its own discretion.

A club spokesperson said: “Those supporters who are One Hotspur Season Ticket or Wembley Pass holders for the 2017-18 season are now able to list their seats for resale for this match.”

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