FAI move to allay fears of repeat of Wembley violence in May friendly

The FAI are satisfied that fan segregation will work well at next month’s high profile friendly between England and Ireland at Wembley, allaying fears of any repeat of the crowd trouble which disfigured the FA Cup semi-final between Millwall and Wigan on Saturday.

Pointing out that supply should be well capable of meeting demand for the game, a spokesman for the FAI yesterday confirmed the association has sold just half of its direct allocation of 10,000 tickets for the match and added that, even though the application deadline has now been extended to May 6, there is no anticipation of a significant increase in the number travelling from here for the May 29 game.

Separately, the English FA, through their own website, have already sold 5,000 tickets directly to Irish supporters in England but, even if that number were to double between now and the game itself, sources say there would still be ample space to accommodate the away support at their own end of the ground on the night.