Hillsborough memorial tickets sold in Liverpool tout scam Published duration 26 February 2014

image copyright Getty Images image caption Tickets for the 25th anniversary Hillsborough memorial service are free

Tickets for the annual Hillsborough disaster memorial service have been sold for £100 by touts pretending they were match tickets, it has emerged.

The BBC understands 10 free tickets for the service marking the disaster's 25th anniversary were sold as match tickets for Sunday's Liverpool v Swansea match.

A Liverpool FC spokesman said it was disgraceful anyone would use the tickets for "illegal gain".

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign's Steve Kelly said it "beggars belief".

'How low people go'

Mr Kelly was at Liverpool's Anfield stadium on Sunday and was told about the scam by stewards.

"The fact it was the anniversary tickets just goes to show how low some people will go."

A Liverpool FC spokesman said: "It was disgraceful anyone would consider using the tickets allocated to those who wish to attend a memorial service to remember the 96 Liverpool supporters who so tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough, for illegal gain.

"Supporters should only buy tickets through official channels and we regularly remind fans about the dangers of purchasing from touts and others.

"The technology deployed at our turnstiles will refuse entry to anyone without an official ticket."

Tout warnings

The tickets for the memorial service, to be held at Anfield in April, are available from the club free of charge.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans died as a result of the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989.

Fresh inquests into their deaths will begin in Warrington in March after the original accidental death inquest verdicts were quashed in 2012 following an independent report.

As well as new inquests, the IPCC is examining police conduct following the tragedy.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We always encourage fans to only buy tickets from authorised outlets to avoid disappointment.