French frenzy as 49,500 tickets sold for home game
“With a peak of 30,000 tickets purchased in three hours, the French Football Federation (FFF) has recorded one of the quickest sales in its history,” the statement continued.
“This means an overwhelming mobilisation of the French public for the two-legged confrontation against Ireland.”
“8,500 tickets have been allocated to the FAI for its supporters,” the FFF confirmed in a statement last night.
The remaining 20,000 Stade de France tickets will be shared between French regional and district leagues, the French Professional League, clubs and sponsors. Sales were limited to four tickets per person, with prices fixed at €20, €40, €60, €80 and €100. Purchasers who failed to prove identity had their orders cancelled.
One man who is hoping to play a part in that tie and indeed the first leg at Croke Park on November 14 is Republic of Ireland midfielder Steven Reid. The midfielder yesterday denied he has had a bust-up with Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Last week Trapattoni raised question marks about the Blackburn man’s future, suggesting he may never fully recover from the knee injury that saw him miss almost all of last season and has restricted him to just two Carling Cup appearances this season.
Ireland’s assistant manager Liam Brady has since apologised to Reid on Trapattoni’s behalf and Reid admitted yesterday he was ‘surprised’ by the Italian’s comments. But asked whether he had fallen out with his manager, he said: “No, not at all. He’s put me in the squad numerous times, even just getting back from injury.
“Whether or not I will be involved in the play-off game versus France depends on whether I’m back playing for Blackburn or not but hopefully I can sneak in that squad and ultimately the aim is to get to South Africa next summer.’’ He put Trapattoni’s remarks down to a ‘misunderstanding’, and insisted his knee is now fine.
“I don’t know exactly how the question was put to Mr Trapattoni but, obviously, there has been a little bit of a misunderstanding with the medical staff in Ireland, and how it was put towards him about the state of the knee, which is actually doing really well.
“The rehab has gone well, I followed Dr Richard Steadman’s rehab programme to the letter, and I’m looking forward to playing again very soon.’’
Meanwhile any lingering hopes France may have had regarding Franck Ribery’s availability for next month’s play-off look to be at an end after his doctor Professor Jean-Henri Jaeger estimated the 26-year-old will not be fit to return to action for a minimum of two months.
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