Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a team in Japan's J1 soccer league, announced on the 6th that it has been observing a troubling trend of malicious ticket cancellations. One individual has reportedly canceled approximately 2,000 tickets over the past two years, indicating that this issue involves dozens of people. The club is contemplating legal action, including criminal charges, if these illegal practices persist.

The problem lies primarily in individuals reserving multiple tickets but failing to complete the payment, resulting in automatic cancellations. Some have reportedly made nearly 1,000 reservations without any payment. This alarming pattern has emerged as anticipation grows for the opening of their new home ground, Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, scheduled for February 2024, which is expected to attract a large number of spectators.

Such malicious cancellations have dire implications for the club, leading to vacant seats and hindering the ticket sales process. A spokesperson stated, 'This is a significant issue that undermines healthy sales operations at a time when many fans are eager to attend matches.' The club's push for criminal prosecution highlights the serious nature of the situation and the economic impact it could have on their operations as they prepare for an important season ahead.