AFL tickets have been pulled from sale amid an investigation into possible price gouging linked to Melbourne sports media owner Craig Hutchison.

It follows concerns about $170 ticket packages reportedly being sold for Friday night’s game between Geelong and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In Victoria, it is illegal to advertise tickets for major events for more than 10 per cent above their face value.

The Herald Sun reports BallPark Entertainment, a subsidiary of Hutchison’s Crocmedia company, was selling tickets for $170, when the most expensive public ticket for the same seats was $93.

BallPark has blamed the mistake on a third party.

“Upon investigation, a third party has mistakenly listed BallPark Entertainment’s medallion club ticket inventory as ticket only with access to premium bar facilities,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.

“BallPark Entertainment is one of many approved medallion club ticket agents, but the third party isn’t.

“We take responsibility regardless for how this has occurred.”

Victoria’s Sport Minister Martin Pakula confirmed the AFL was investigating the tickets over pricing concerns.

About 500 ads have been taken down in recent weeks for breaching anti-scalping laws, the minister added.

“The legislation … won’t stop people who continue to try and circumvent the law, but what it will ensure is that there is a strong response from government and from leagues,” Mr Pakula said.

-AAP