SFA rejects Irish plea for extra Euro 2016 tickets
THE Scottish Football Association will not give Republic of Ireland fans extra tickets for the upcoming European Championship qualifier at Celtic Park.
Irish supporters, many of whom travel regularly to watch their team overseas, have reacted angrily over the ticketing process for the game on 14 November after the Football Association of Ireland was given the Uefa minimum allocation of five per cent. That amounts to 3,209 seats, while applications totalled four times that.
The FAI has called on the SFA to increase its allocation, with Ireland supporters now buying tickets in the home areas of the stadium. A spokesman said: “The association regrets that the SFA has not increased this allocation to date. It is particularly disappointing that the Scottish FA is continuing to sell tickets on its website after they had told us that the match was sold out.
“Many of these tickets are now being taken up by Irish supporters out of desperation, a situation that could be resolved easily by providing adequate numbers of away tickets in a designated Irish section of the stadium.”
However, a statement released by the SFA read: “We have fulfilled our obligated allocation of away tickets to the Football Association of Ireland of 3,200, in compliance with Uefa regulations. The match is now approaching a sell-out and we are releasing the last remaining restricted view seats via public sale to home fans.
“Given the demand for tickets from Scotland supporters, and the need to comply with Uefa’s safety and security regulations, we will be unable to increase the Republic of Ireland’s away allocation.
“We will have the appropriate measures in place to ensure that both sets of fans – renowned and revered around the world for their impeccable behaviour – enjoy what will be a hugely entertaining qualifying match, played before a full house at Celtic Park.”
Of the tickets allocated to the FAI, 1,700 have gone to supporters’ clubs, season ticket holders, Club Ireland members and known away supporters, a further 700 to clubs and leagues and 600 to sponsors and contracted travel partners, with the remaining 200 set aside for players, backroom team, FAI staff and team management.
The FAI spokesman added: “Although many tickets were provided for known away supporters, the Association recognises that there are supporters who expected tickets and did not receive them.
“So far, the Association has secured an additional 150 tickets from companies in Scotland for corporate €160 seats that will be given to supporters who missed out at the general admission price of €60. The FAI regrets any situation in which supporters remain without tickets.”