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A Liverpool FC employee admitted the football club does have a problem with ticket touts while defending claims of malpractice.

Scott Richardson, the club’s head of customer relationship management, addressed the issue at the employment tribunal of the reds former chauffeur.

Dave Sloan, 50, is bringing a case of constructive dismissal against the club he worked at for four years.

Mr Sloan claims he was victimised after he blew the whistle over alleged malpractice at the club including a senior official.

But Mr Richardson denied the allegations of malpractice.

Mr Sloan, of Garston, claims player liaison officer Ray Haughan touted tickets originally intended for circulation within the club and sold them on at a profit.

Speaking at the tribunal today Mr Richardson said: “We do have a problem with ticket touts at Liverpool.

“Like all premiership clubs demand outstrips supply for tickets.

“During my five years at the club we have tried to tackle the issue by getting rid of paper tickets wherever possible.

“However touts are becoming increasingly wise on how to beat the system and we’re trying constantly to outsmart them.”

Mr Richardson claimed he made enquiries after the allegation came to light and Ray Haughan was completely exonerated. He said: “Ray became upset and frustrated during the meeting I had with him where I was asking him about the allegations.

“He talked me through the ticket process and I was completely convinced by his rational explanation of how the system worked.

“I felt I didn’t need to look at any other evidence other than what I had looked at already.”

Mr Sloan claimed he was left feeling ostracised and isolated after he raised his concerns with senior management last year.

He said his already strained working relationship with Mr Haughan, who was his line manager, deteriorated further after he made the allegations against him.

His frustrations came to a head at a Christmas party held at the city’s upmarket Hope Street hotel when he confronted Mr Ayre over his concerns.

The next day Mr Sloan was suspended by the club pending an investigation, and shortly afterwards he was signed off sick with stress.

Mr Richardson – under cross examination by Angela Brennan – said he had repeatedly asked Mr Sloan to attend meetings and said: “I wanted to hear from Dave first hand what had happened, in his own words, but he repeatedly refused to come to meetings.”

Mr Sloan said he had “lost faith” in the club and handed in his resignation on March 7.

The tribunal continues.