FAI secure just 880 tickets for Bosnia clash

A mere 880 fans will get to attend Ireland’s most important game for almost three years on Friday week when Bosnia’s 11,500-capacity Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica hosts the Euro 2016 play-off first leg.

Efforts by the Football Association of Ireland to procure 10%of the entire ticket allocation proved unsuccessful, leaving several hundred of the 1,175 applicants disappointed yesterday.

In total, the FAI received 630 general admission tickets, purchased 50 category one tickets as well as 200 complimentary tickets in accordance with Uefa competition regulations and agreements between both associations.

It all adds points to an eerie atmosphere for the first half of a two-legged play-off which will determine whether Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane guide Ireland to France next year in their first campaign at the helm.

Given the FAI’s chequered history of ticket allocations for away games, they’ve provided a detailed breakdown of the requests made and brackets into which the tickets are now being distributed.

This time last year, the FAI were subjected to fierce criticism from fans over their handling of tickets for the Euro qualifier against Scotland at Parkhead. Chief executive John Delaney admitted mistakes were made by the association in their allocation method, meaning several supporters that had travelled to Georgia two months earlier were left ticketless.

For this occasion, 55% of tickets will be dispersed to supporters from affiliated football leagues and more than 2,000 clubs which fall under their remit, FAI board and national council members, players/staff, Club Ireland members, and Jack Charlton Lounge patrons. Another 30% are allocated to independent supporters who are members of Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporter Clubs and Fans’ Direct.

The FAI’s official travel partner, Abbey Travel, receive the remaining 15% for supporters travelling on their packages.

Independent fans’ group Fans Direct continue have reservations about the model, contending they are the only subset judged on their travel history to away internationals.

“The introduction of Fans Direct is a stepping stone and very much welcomed,” said a spokesperson for Fans group YouBoysInGreen.ie.

“We feel all fans should be assessed on the same basis. A points-based system should be introduced for every group of Irish fans and, that way, those who travel to more games will be the ones who have a better chance of securing a ticket. That is how it works in England, Scotland and Wales and is absolutely a fair system.”

For the return fixture at Lansdowne Road on Monday, November 16, all general admission tickets have sold out, with just premium-level seats available.