Dundee United have apologised to fans after ticket chaos overshadowed the build-up to one of the club’s biggest games in years.
The Tannadice side are set to play AZ Alkmaar at home on Thursday in the club’s first European campaign in 10 years.
Tickets went on general sale on Monday morning but United say issues cropped up with a “third party ticketing partner”.
Ticket sales suspended
It forced them to suspend all sales after briefs could not be printed or processed online using a firm called Future Ticketing.
The sale started at 9am before hitting the buffers 17 minutes later.
Issues were apparently fixed just after 1pm after United rebuilt a section of the website and supplied customers with a direct link.
But at 1.50pm, the Tangerines shelved the option to buy tickets online.
They wrote on Twitter: “Due to excessive demand, we are currently taking ticket sales offline.
“Supporters still wishing to purchase a seat should visit the ticket office or contact them directly.
“Hospitality options are still available to book online until 1630 today.”
Queues had formed outside the ticket office on Tannadice Street on Monday morning, with those left waiting in the sun offered water by club shop staff.
Fans trying to buy tickets online were also angry after being met with an error message when adding tickets to their basket.
The club had asked supporters to fill in forms to secure seats while the issue was worked on.
The Courier understands United took sales offline to ensure there would be sufficient briefs to service those physically in the queue at Tannadice, as well as honouring transactions made earlier in the day when Future Ticketing was unable to process orders.
A source said: “At that point, United took the details of supporters with the guarantee they would get a seat once the system was again operational.”
Dundee United sorry for AZ Alkmaar ticket issues
A Dundee United spokesperson had earlier said: “Our third party ticketing partner is currently experiencing technical difficulties which mean no ticket sales can either be processed online or in the ticket office.
“They are working hard to resolve this. We will update ASAP. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Season ticket holders snapped up 4,300 tickets in just 72 hours after priority sales opened on Friday.
The match kicks off at 7.45pm with the return leg played at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar just north of Amsterdam next week.
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