Munster fury at Leicester’s insulting ticket allocation

A CYNICAL ploy by Leicester Tigers has threatened to cause a major row ahead of the Heineken European Cup quarter-final against Munster on April 13.

Leicester yesterday held what they described as their “normal monthly board meeting” after which chairman, Peter Tom, issued the following statement: “We can confirm that the Heineken Cup quarter-final between Leicester Tigers and Munster will take place at Welford Road on Sunday, April 13 at 4 pm. Our season ticket holders and members have until February 21 to apply for their tickets and they will be guaranteed priority until this deadline.

“Munster will receive an initial allocation of 1,000 tickets and we will review the situation as the requirements of our members and European Rugby Cup Ltd become clear. Any remaining tickets will go on general sale at the beginning of March.”

Not surprisingly, Munster have reacted quickly and angrily to this announcement. The rules of the competition state that the visiting team is entitled to 25% of the tickets available and already chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald has written to Leicester pointing out this fact and seeking clarification of yesterday’s statement.

How Leicester could possibly believe that Munster would settle for 1, 000 tickets bearing in mind that their chief executive Peter Wheeler is on record for stating that they “could fill Twickenham for this fixture” is beyond belief. In other words, he acknowledges the unique and widespread support for the Munster team and for his club to now offer them an “initial” thousand tickets is hardly designed to improve relations between the parties.

Not surprisingly, ERC are well aware of the explosive potential of yesterday’s release and confirmed last night that they, too, have been in contact with Leicester.

“We are seeking clarification with respect to the allocation of

1,000 tickets to Munster and to the agreement that 25% should go to the visiting team”, said ERC official Diarmuid Murphy.

Leicester’s decision to stage the match at their own Welford Road ground, which has a capacity of 16, 807, is perfectly understandable although they did have the alternative of a switch to the new Leicester City’s Walkers Stadium.

“To say I am disappointed at this news is putting it mildly”, said Munster manager Jerry Holland last night. “Many of our supporters have already pre-booked their flights and other means of transport. If this is allowed, it will be a terrible blow to everybody. This move is effectively going to stop them getting to the match and ERC must see to it that they receive their rightful allocation”.

Interestingly, the gate receipts for the game are split equally.