Delaney: FAI will learn from Aviva ticket problems

JOHN DELANEY says the FAI will learn from the ticketing problems which caused the kick-off in the first international at the Aviva Stadium to be delayed for nearly 15 minutes.

Delaney also insists the association was not disappointed by the less than capacity turnout for Wednesday’s glamour fixture against Argentina.

“It’s a new stadium and we have had difficulties, there is no question about that,” the chief executive conceded.

“We still got 45,000 people in with those difficulties and Adrian Mooney, who heads up our ticketing operation, will be speaking to the ticket office to make sure we don’t have those same problems for the game against Andorra.

“The late kick-off was down to the ticket collection. There were a good few people waiting to collect their tickets, coming late or whatever it may be, and the sensible thing to do was to delay the kick-off until everybody got in.”

Commenting on reports that some people did not receive postal tickets, Delaney said: “Two big games in a week moving into a new stadium, you are going to have problems. And if there were issues with fans who could not get in then that is something that we will make good. If there are any people who did not get in and who bought tickets, we’ll make that up to them in the future.”

Delaney was clearly annoyed by the media focus on the fact that there was a large number of empty seats for the Aviva’s international debut.

“You will set your own agenda on this, in your own way,” he told reporters. “We had over 95,000 people in two games in the middle of a recession. We have opened it well with Manchester United and Argentina. It’s probably one of the biggest attendances at friendly matches. I am pleased that we got in 45,000 for Argentina and that there were 49,000 at the United match. It is a difficult time in terms of the economy and it is also August with people on holidays. Other sporting bodies have problems with attendances so 95,000 in seven days is a good achievement.”

Delaney was speaking at the unveiling in the stadium yesterday of Carling as sponsors for the new Four Nations tournament which will see Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland playing in the Aviva in February and May of next year. The draw will take place at the end of September with the first two games scheduled for February 8 and 9. Delaney said that he expects all six games to be shown live on TV.

The FAI boss revealed that England had previously declined an invitation to participate in the tournament, citing commitments over the next couple of years.

And while he ruled out any plans to resurrect the idea of a joint bid to host the European Championships with Scotland, Delaney did say that the availability of the Aviva Stadium would, at some point, permit a joint bid with the IFA to bring the U21 finals to the island.

“For me, it’s baby steps first in hosting European tournaments,” said Delaney. “I think the Europa League is a good step for us. I have often said that I would love to host the European U21 championship with the IFA. There have been discussions in the past with the IFA and when the IFA settles down after changes in its administration I would like to engage them again.”