Fans face rail strike chaos for play-off cruncher
Tickets for ireland’s crunch second leg world cup play-off sell out in 5 minutes
IRELAND’S crucial World Cup play-off second leg against Denmark sold out in record time yesterday.
The Boys In Green can book their place to Russia on November 14 if we beat the Danes over two legs – and there was a mad scramble for tickets since Tuesday’s draw. On Thursday night, the FAI announced a limited number of premium level passes – priced at €120 – for the Aviva Stadium clash would also go on public sale at 11am yesterday. However, they were gone in less than five minutes with the FAI confirming the match was officially sold out for the 51,700 capacity stadium. For fans still without a ticket, more could become available if away fans don’t take up their full allocation. But many disappointed supporters don’t hold much hope of seeing James Mcclean repeat his goalscoring heroics against Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel. On Twitter one wrote: “Better chance of winning the Lotto than getting tickets for the Ireland game.” Another added: “Refuse to believe Ireland tickets sold out in less than 30 seconds. “Ticketmaster needs to sort themselves out”. A third fan complained: “Nah seriously, how are all those Ireland tickets sold out at 11 on the dot?” In a bid to combat touts, the FAI warned anyone buying a ticket from unofficial sources at above face value will face the risk of being refused entry to the stadium. There will be a mechanism to discover tickets sold through these outlets and they will be deactivated. It said: “All season ticket holders have been catered for due to this game being part of their current package. “This year’s season ticket campaign was a record-breaking one with almost 16,000 supporters signing up for a package that also includes entry into women’s senior, men’s under 21 and underage international games. “It also included FAI Cup and FAI Women’s Cup Finals, exclusive benefits from sponsors, and discounts off Faishop.com “We would like to advise any person who purchases a ticket from unofficial sources at a price above the face value will accept the risk of no entry to the stadium, as there is a mechanism in place to investigate tickets on sale through these outlets and deactivate the ticket. “The process of cancelling tickets, which were purchased unofficially, for the second leg game has already commenced and tickets have been traced to their original source. “The FAI has a zero-tolerance policy on ticket touting and will work with stadium officials and gardai to monitor this practice.” If the North can get past Switzerland in their play-off matches, both Irish teams will create soccer history by making it to the World Cup finals for the first time.