Newcastle apologise to fans over ticket controversy

Newcastle United recorded their first win of the season against Wolves at the weekend

Newcastle United have cancelled more than 100 season tickets and apologised to supporters for an "oversight" after seats sold to tour organisers a decade ago were "not detected until recently".

The club have taken action following a further investigation into the unauthorised re-selling of tickets for matches at St James' Park.

It comes in the wake of a school nearly 200 miles away being able to buy tickets for the massively in-demand Champions League home game against Barcelona on Thursday night.

The club explained that when the new owners took over four years ago, they ended agreements with third parties that allowed them to sell tickets.

That included the deal agreed a decade ago with a small group of tour organisers "for the benefit of school groups" – but the club did not realise they were still selling tickets because there was no formal deal with the organisers.

"At a time when we are doing our utmost to protect legitimate access for Newcastle United fans, we want to be fully transparent and apologise for this oversight," the club said.