FAI agrees ticket allocation for crucial Wales game
The FAI has reached an agreement with the Football Association of Wales for 3,500 tickets for the match between Republic of Ireland and Wales on October 9, 2017 - the final game of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The ticket allocation is dependent on the game in Group D being hosted in the Cardiff City Stadium or in the Principality Stadium. However, early indications suggest that it will be in the Cardiff City Stadium, which has a total capacity of 33,280.
Under FIFA regulations, host nations must offer at least five per cent of tickets to visiting supporters, but following discussions, Ireland supporters travelling to Cardiff in October 2017 will be able to access more tickets to meet the expected high demand.
The FAI continues to negotiate with all participating nations to cater for the most loyal Ireland supporters, who come under the Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Clubs and Fans' Direct.
Under the Away Ticketing Scheme, so far in this qualifying campaign more than 4,500 supporters have been supplied with tickets for the draw with Serbia in Belgrade and the victories over Moldova and Austria in Chisinau and Vienna respectively.
BREAKING: FAI agrees ticket allocation for @FIFAWorldCup qualifier in Wales - https://t.co/hafJJVOcsy #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/HAsU734lOk
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) December 1, 2016
As a result of ongoing discussions with the Confederation of Republic of Ireland Supporters Clubs, the FAI has increased the allocation that will be reserved for regular away supporters in the breakdown of the distribution scheme. The new lay-out is as follows:
45 per cent will be distributed 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.
40 per cent will be allocated to independent supporters who are members of Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporter Clubs and Fans' Direct.
15 per cent will be provided to supporters travelling with the FAI's official travel partner, Abbey Travel - these supporters have their details of match attendance at away games logged should they ever decide to apply independently for tickets.
Declan Finnegan, Ticketing Officer of CRISC, said: "We are pleased the FAI has listened and responded to the approaches made by CRISC, by increasing the allocation to supporters clubs and Fans' Direct. We will continue to work with the FAI to ensure that a fair allocation of tickets is made available for all regular away supporters."
