Fears of Chelsea influx in West Brom end as club decide against putting tickets on general sale
Tickets for Albion’s home game against Chelsea are being sold for up to six times their face value online as fans of the London club bid to see their team win the Premier League.
Antonio Conte’s team will secure the title at The Hawthorns if they beat the Baggies on Friday night, and yesterday, tickets worth £39 were being sold on eBay for £500 a pair and on Twitter for £200 each.
Albion will not be releasing any tickets in the home end on general sale over fears they will just be snapped up by Chelsea fans, and the club confirmed they will only sell seats to members with a history of buying previous tickets to watch the Baggies.
But Albion are aware they cannot stop supporters from cashing in on Chelsea’s title tilt on the black market.
West Midlands Police are putting on additional officers for the game as a precaution and stewards will be put on alert for the increased potential of away fans in the home area.
The club have asked both sets of fans to act responsibly on Friday, and confirmed they will eject anybody putting the safety of themselves or those around them at risk.
It is the Baggies’ last home game of the season, and the players usually conduct a lap of appreciation to say thank you to the fans.
Albion’s players intend to show supporters their gratitude on Friday as normal, but the club are aware that the result, and the number of fans left in the stadium because of the evening kick-off could affect plans.
Chelsea moved seven points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham with a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Monday and can win the league with two games to spare on Friday.
It would be their fifth Premier League title and the sixth time in their history they have been crowned champions of football's top division.
However, Albion have only lost one of their last five meetings with Chelsea at The Hawthorns, winning three and drawing one.
The match was moved to an 8pm kick-off on Friday night in order to be televised by Sky Sports.
When it was announced, Albion's supporters' club raised concerns over congestion getting to the game.
