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The Aviva Stadium will play host to the World Cup 2018 qualifier between Ireland and Wales on 24 March. Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Wales fans 'outraged' by ticket allocation for World Cup qualifier in Dublin

The Football Association of Wales have been allocated 6.4% of tickets for the game against Ireland in March.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Wales confirmed today that they have received an allocation of 3,300 tickets for their World Cup 2018 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on 24 March.

The allocation represents just 6.4% of the 51,700 capacity for the crucial fixture at the Dublin venue. As they bid to qualify for next year’s tournament in Russia, Ireland currently lead the way in Group D on 10 points, two clear of Serbia and four ahead of the Welsh.

The Football Association of Ireland’s modest allocation of tickets to their Welsh counterparts comes in spite of the FAW’s offer of 10.5% of tickets (3,500) to Irish supporters for the return fixture at the 33,280-capacity Cardiff City Stadium on 9 October.

However, there remains a possibility that this potentially decisive game — which is the final Group D fixture for both teams — could be moved to the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium.

Although Fifa rules only require a minimum of 5% of tickets be made available to visiting supporters, Wales were optimistic that their generosity would be reciprocated by the FAI.

At £44 (€51) each, Wales supporters are also said to be disappointed by the price of tickets being offered to them for the Dublin fixture.

“We’re outraged really,” Vince Alm of Wales fan group FSF Cymru told Wales Online. “We’re really disappointed. We’re normally offered 10% on a reciprocal basis. The gentlemen’s agreement has always been 10%.

“We want to play at our home stadium, which is the Cardiff City Stadium. It’s not as big as the Aviva but that’s where we’re at and they should respect that.”

When contacted by The42, both the FAI and FAW declined to comment on the matter.

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Paul Dollery
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