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A sell-out crowd is expected at the Aviva Stadium. Cathal Noonan/INPHO
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Ticket details for Euro 2016 play-off released as FAI request extra away allocation

Ireland fans will be able to purchase seats for the home leg next week.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has asked Uefa for an extra allocation of away tickets for next month’s Euro 2016 play-off first-leg against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Martin O’Neill’s side were paired with Bosnia in yesterday’s draw and will play the first-leg away from home on Friday 13 November.

A venue has yet to be confirmed for the fixture but Bosnia’s home ground is the Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica – which has a capacity of just 15,600.

Under Uefa regulations, visiting supporters are entitled to 5% of the stadium’s overall capacity meaning Ireland’s allocation is likely to be just 780 tickets.

However, the FAI have applied for their allocation to be doubled but the application is subject to the discretion of the home association.

Once the venue and allocation are confirmed, fans will be able to apply for tickets through the FAI’s ‘Away Ticketing Scheme’, which was first used for the recent away fixtures against Gibraltar and Poland.

Last week, the You Boys in Green supporters group asked the association for clarity on the scheme and the breakdown of the ticket allocation.

And in a press release issued this evening, the governing body has revealed how the tickets will be distributed:

  • 55 per cent will be distributed to supporters from affiliated football Leagues and more than 2,000 clubs that fall under their remit, Board and National Council members, players/staff, Club Ireland members, and Jack Charlton Lounge patrons.
  • 30 per cent will be allocated to independent supporters who are members of Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporter Clubs or Fans’ Direct.
  • 15 per cent will be provided to supporters travelling with the FAI’s official travel partner, Abbey Travel. These supporters have their details of match attendance at away games logged should they ever decide to apply independently for tickets.

Bosnia Liechtenstein 2014 FIFA World Cup The national stadium in Zenica. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The increased communication follows the criticism leveled at the organisation for the handling of ticket ballots for last year’s Euro 2016 Qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow.

Fans were left angered after it emerged those who had most consistently followed the team’s progress around the world were overlooked for tickets.

With such a small allocation for next month’s crucial first-leg in Zenica, many fans will be left disappointed once again as demand will far exceed supply.

There shouldn’t be as much of a problem for the home tie with tickets for the Monday 16 November clash going on sale to the public next week (27 October).

The Boys in Green are hoping to qualify for their second consecutive European Championships having reached Poland/Ukraine under Giovanni Trapattoni.

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