The Insider September 4

WHAT is to be done? eBay, the eponymous market place for the enterprising, is awash with ticket offers for the forthcoming weekend of competition between Europe’s finest and the United States. Bidding for a day at the K Club starts at about £155 but the more enterprising unofficial sellers are charging up to £1,800 for a pair of tickets for the whole event.

Will there be a clampdown on such sales, particularly in the wake of stern action by Cricket Australia last week? Authorities there have cancelled 1,300 tickets for the Ashes series, on sale at inflated prices, that had fallen into the hands of “scalpers”.

Many were traced through internet auction sites, such as eBay. A Cricket Australia spokesman said: “Anybody who has bought a ticket should be aware that they are at risk of not being able to get into a venue.” Wimbledon takes a similarly strict view and was even preparing this year to start prosecutions against the worst offenders. You have been warned.