NO SEVILLE TRIP FOR FANS AS CLUB IS FORCED TO SCRAP BETIS TICKETS
CELTIC have had to pull the plug on selling tickets for next Thursday’s Europa League clash away to Real Betis after the Seville-based club were forced to perform a U-turn on the arrangement.
With UEFA having lifted its blanket ban on travelling fans attending games during the pandemic, the La Liga outfit had this week offered Celtic an allocation for the opening group game in their Benito Villamarin Stadium.
The Parkhead club were in the process of distributing the briefs to season-ticket holders anxious to watch their side on the road in Europe for the first time since the tie with FC Copenhagen in February of last year.
Yesterday, though, Celtic were forced to scrap the plan after the Spanish club informed them they were unable to honour the arrangement due to a tightening of protocols from the local authority in Seville.
Explaining a development which will leave scores of fans who had already booked flights and hotels out of pocket, a Celtic statement read: ‘We regret to announce that we have been informed by Real Betis that they are no longer allowed to accept away fans for the match against Celtic next week, Thursday, September 16.
‘Betis have indicated to Celtic that the local authority in Spain has now stated that visiting fans will not be permitted to attend the match. Responsibility for advising away clubs on ticketing and acceptance of fans travelling lies with the home club in UEFA competitions. Since the draw was made we have asked Betis to confirm whether they will be accepting Celtic fans at this fixture.
‘Early on Wednesday afternoon Betis confirmed that they would be accepting Celtic fans for this match and the club has been working hard to try and find a way to comply with the requirements laid down to admit Celtic fans for this fixture.
‘It is extremely disappointing to be told that Betis will no longer be able to admit Celtic fans to this match.
‘Clearly, any match tickets purchased online, which went on sale last night, will be refunded.
‘We remain in contact with Betis to see if anything can be done but thought it important to get this update out immediately and would advise our fans not to travel.
‘We are speaking to Leverkusen and Ferencvaros to understand the position with away fans and will update in due course.’
Meanwhile, Kyogo Furuhashi could miss up to a month of action after sustaining a minor knee injury while on international duty.
The 26-year-old attacker was hurt in Japan’s World Cup qualifying win over China on Tuesday.
The Japanese forward has made an
impressive start to his Celtic career, scoring seven goals in nine appearances since signing from Vissel Kobe in August.
Celtic are due to play seven matches domestically and in the Europa League between now and October 3, although manager Ange Postecoglou is hopeful the player might not be absent for all of those fixtures.
‘It’s disappointing for him as much as us as a club because he’s got off to such a great start in his career here at Celtic and we were just looking forward to him continuing that and building on that momentum,’ he said.
‘Obviously now, we’ve had to hit the pause button on it.
‘The initial diagnosis is probably three to four weeks but that will depend on how quickly he heals. He feels pretty good about it. He doesn’t think it will keep him out for too long but we’ll assess it as we go along.
‘For us obviously it is a challenge because he’s started the season so well. But that provides opportunities for others now.’
Celtic take on Ross County today, a side that did untold damage to the Parkhead club’s ambitions last season.
The Staggies knocked the holders out of the League Cup in Glasgow, then won in the league in Dingwall in what proved to be Neil Lennon’s last stand.
Although themselves now much changed and under a new manager in Malky Mackay, Celtic will treat them lightly at their peril.
‘Certainly, I won’t be letting anyone underestimate any opponent,’ said Postecoglou.