Close on 5,000 tickets for FAI

AS THE song says: better than they expected but not as good as they’d hoped.

The FAI had asked the Georgian Football Federation for 6,500 tickets for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Mainz but the GFF came back with an offer of 4,850 — which, nevertheless, is still considerably more than the 10% of stadium capacity that is the norm in international games.

Under yesterday’s agreement between the two associations, Georgian fans will be allocated 2,500 seats in the Bruchwegstadion — which has a capacity of 10,000 seats — while the remaining seats in the stadium will be allocated to German spectators.

The FAI have also made arrangements for tickets for Irish fans to be sold at the stadium itself, commencing tomorrow.

In a statement, the Association said: “To avoid congestion, ticket booths will be open two days prior to the game and we urge all fans to buy their tickets early. The location of ticket booths for Irish supporters will be clearly signposted at the stadium and fans are reminded that they should bring their passports as identification will be required.”

The booths will be open tomorrow Thursday, from 9am; on Friday from 9am to 6pm; and on Saturday match day from 10am.

The FAI has already contacted all fans who had applied in writing for tickets for the original match in Tbilisi and offered them a choice of free tickets for the new fixture in Mainz or for the international friendly against Poland in Croke Park on November 19. FAI chief executive John Delaney explained: “Some of our loyal fans were inconvenienced by FIFA’s decision to move the match so late in the day and this is just a small gesture to thank them for their support."