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Manchester United say they have dismantled organised ticketing networks after withdrawing 685 season tickets as part of a contentious investigation into touting.

The club’s strong action during the summer prompted heavy criticism from supporters, with many claiming that a significant number of innocent fans were at risk of being punished.

This week, supporter group The 1958 called on fans to “stand united” against what it described as the “season ticket ban fiasco” during a protest before Sunday’s derby against Manchester City, saying that “a line has been crossed”.

Before this weekend’s fixtures, United released an update on the investigation, stating that 685 accounts had been banned, while 464 supporters received either reduced sanctions or final warnings.

A club statement said: “Bans were issued where there was significant misuse of the ticketing system for financial gain.

“This included the operation of organised ticketing networks, which were controlling, selling and distributing tickets from hundreds of accounts.

“These actions undermine fair access to tickets for genuine supporters and have no place at Manchester United.

“Our focus now turns to ensuring these tickets are returned to our supporters. All season tickets released through this process will be offered to supporters on the season ticket waiting list.”

United said the investigation identified 1,617 accounts that needed further scrutiny because of what the club called “unusual activity”.

Of the supporters who lost their season tickets, 113 did not respond to requests for information, 73 chose not to appeal, and 499 had their bans confirmed by an independent appeals board.

Last month, United said an independent company had “uncovered significant and organised touting” after reviewing activity on the club’s ticketing platform between March and June.

However, the club acknowledged that the touting investigation had “caused significant concern and distress for some supporters”.

United also admitted they had “underestimated how common sharing account usernames and passwords was” and accepted “that some fans may have felt they were being treated unfairly.”

Ahead of Sunday’s protest, supporters have been asked to gather outside the Bishop Blaize pub near Old Trafford at 3pm.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for The 1958 said: “Manchester United supporter groups are being called upon to all stand together following reports of bans and season ticket sanctions without clear and compelling evidence always being presented.

“For generations, match-going Reds have given their time, money and loyalty to Manchester United, home and away. That loyalty deserves to be treated with respect.

“This is not about one group or one individual. It is about how Manchester United treats its match-going supporters. It may not affect you today, it may not next time but that day is coming for all of us.

“All Reds. All groups. One voice. Show the evidence. Lift the bans.”