Quins to investigate their “supporters”

Harlequins are to investigate how Munster supporters managed to have “a presence in the stadium that exceeded the number of tickets officially allocated to them” in last Sunday Heineken Cup quarter-final at The Stoop.
The Premiership champions recorded a record crowd of 15,000 for the occasion but it was obvious during the game that most of the supporters were part of the Red Army.
Under Heineken Cup regulations, 25% (3,750) of the tickets had to made available to Munster, while the rest of the tickets went to Harlequins season ticket holders, officials, sponsors and players.
In a statement on their website, Harlequins pointed out that “at no stage did tickets for the match go on sale to the general public…(however) in the two weeks leading up to the match, the club was aware that tickets were being sold on Ebay and through other unauthorised channels.”
The statement continued: “Where possible the club tried to identify the source of the tickets, the tickets involved and cancel them.
“It was obvious from 90 minutes before kick-off that Munster’s well organised and wonderful supporters had a presence in the stadium that exceeded the number of tickets officially allocated to them. The colourful and vocal support they gave their talented team during the match provided further evidence of this if it was needed.
“Given the controlled manner that tickets were made available for the match, it is clear to the club that many of its “supporters” sold their tickets on to opposition fans. To say that this is disappointing for the players, coaches, management and staff of the club is an understatement. The club is determined to identify any person that sold on his or her ticket and will ensure that last Sunday’s outcome is not repeated.