THE FAI HAS been allocated less than 1,000 tickets for Ireland’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The first of a two-legged affair takes place on 13 November at the Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica, which has a limited capacity of just 11,500 for the game (usually 15,600).
A minimum ticket allocation of 5% (575) is required to be set aside for visiting fans under Uefa regulations, but the FAI applied to their Bosnian counterparts to double that after receiving 1,175 applications for tickets from Irish supporters.
However, it has been given a total of 880 for the crucial game – 630 general admission, 50 Category One purchases and an additional 200 complimentary tickets.
The tickets will be distributed in the following way:
- 55% - To supporters from affiliated football leagues and more than 2,000 clubs which fall under their remit, Board and National Council members, players/staff, Club Ireland members, and Jack Charlton Lounge patrons.
- 30% – Allocated to independent supporters who are members of Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporter Clubs and Fans’ Direct.
- 15% – Provided to supporters travelling with the FAI’s official travel partner, Abbey Travel.
The FAI has made an effort to be more transparent with their ticket allocation for away matches after receiving criticism from supporters group You Boys In Green for their handling of applications in the past.
It was also confirmed in the same statement that general admission tickets for the home leg at the Aviva Stadium on 16 November have sold out, with a limited number of premium level tickets still available.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Bosnia-Herzegovina will take up the full 5% allocation of 2,500 tickets for that tie.
Kidney is not going to play OConnell etc against Russia anyway. Team will be : McCourt Cronin Buckley Cullen Ryan Heaslip Leamy Jennings Boss Wallace McFadden Bowe Trimble Earls and Kearney ! I thinkî
Oops!