Ireland fans get chance to tag along with crunch clash
For the first time ever, the FAI has announced that a panoramic 360-degree photo will be taken of all spectators in the Aviva Stadium.
While thoughts of fans will be more on the team’s progress to the finals in Poland and Ukraine next year than on their image, it might represent a treasured souvenir should Giovanni Trapattoni’s team obtain the draw required to confirm second place in the group and a place in the play-offs.
The FAI initiative, in partnership with Irish technology firm Huggity, will enable supporters in the stadium to “tag” themselves and share the picture with their friends on social networking websites such as Facebook.
The photograph will capture everyone in the 51,700-seater stadium and will be available for display on the FAI’s website from Thursday.
Huggity has carried out similar projects at other large events, including this year’s Oxegen festival at Punchestown.
“We are delighted to work with the FAI on this massive occasion,” said Huggity’s chief executive, Mike Sikorski.
“This photograph will be a unique opportunity for Ireland’s football fans to find themselves at the ground after the match has taken place.”
Supporters who tag their picture on Facebook will also be eligible for a competition to win five pairs of tickets to Ireland’s next international match in November, with one overall winner also receiving a signed jersey.
Mr Sikorski said that supporters attending tonight’s match would be advised through notices on the giant screen and via announcements on the PA system that the photograph would be taken.
Fans who do not wish to have their image displayed can contact Huggity in order to have their faces blurred.
A spokesperson for the Data Protection Commissioner said it was satisfied that the approach being adopted by FAI and Huggity would comply with guidelines issued in relation to the taking of crowd photos.
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