Wimbledon serves injunctions on touts

Wimbledon tennis chiefs declared war on ticket touts today by launching action against illegal sales on the internet.

They have served injunctions on eight operators peddling seats at up to 25 times face value.

The official prices range from ?21 to ?75. But they are unlikely to get willing help from the websites - eBay says all deals are a "private matter".

A spokeswoman for the All England-Club told the Standard: "Our legal team has put in injunctions against eight internet users.

"It is clearly marked in the ticket pocket that the tickets must not be sold on the internet, in newspapers or elsewhere. The club wants the public to know that they will not get away with it."

Despite their scarcity through official sources, a simple internet search soon finds tickets for the men's final - face value ?75 - on sale for ?1,650 each. Deals of up to ?3,300 are advertised and prices are expected to spiral further by the first serve on Monday.

Many tickets are being openly advertised on eBay, the world's largest online auction site, even though it is illegal to re-sell any type of Wimbledon ticket except debentures. Vendors tell potential buyers that the legal implications are "a matter between the event organiser and the seller".

One vendor has already attracted a bid of ?750 for two tickets behind the Royal Box for the men's final on 4 July - five times face value.

Boasting "a wonderful view of the ultimate tennis event", the posting states: "These tickets were acquired via the public-ballot system but cannot now be used due to other family commitments."

The ?3,300 offer is for a private hospitality table for six on 1 July.

Several vendors admit they are offering tickets obtained through the private-ballot system - rendering them illegal.

Culprits who have been caught include members of the Harbour Club and Queens.

Yet people who buy tickets illegally may find themselves barred from entry. The All England Club plans random identity checks at the gates, and anyone whose name does not match that of the registered purchaser could be ejected.

They could even find that their seats have already been taken because the club says it will re-sell the seats if it finds they have been touted. Each ticket has a registered buyer who enters into a legal contract that prohibits selling it on.

A spokesman for eBay said it would not delete Wimbledon ticket listings unless presented with a court order.

He said: "eBay regards the selling of these Wimbledon tournament tickets as a private matter between the event organiser and the seller. eBay is not a party to the contracts between the organisers and the ticket holders."

However, the website does warn vendors to read any contracts that may limit their right to sell and it has been forced to reveal to Uefa the details of users trying to sell tickets for Euro 2004.