Joseph Johnson, 42, of Chelford Road, Eccleston, admitted three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Liam Rice, 36, of Roughwood Drive, Kirkby, admitted one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and was sentenced to two years and 10 months in jail.

Lee Smith, 38, of Winmoss Drive, Kirkby, admitted two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and was sentenced to two years and 10 months in jail.

Joseph Johnson and James Johnson are not related.

Investigators found their company – Seatfinder UK – was registered in Dubai but run from a rented office on a college campus in Kirkby, Merseyside.

The operation first offered tickets for Liverpool matches in 2015, but later expanded to other Premier League clubs.