THE FAI HAS announced an agreement with the Welsh football association in relation to the away ticket allocation for next year’s World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.
Ireland, who top Group D on ten points after four matches, face Chris Coleman’s side in the final fixture on 9 October.
It could prove to be a crucial game for both nations with just one team qualifying automatically for the finals in Russia and all but one runner-up going into the play-offs.
Fifa regulations state that host nations must offer at least 5% of tickets to visiting supporters, but following discussions with the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the FAI will be given a higher percentage.
Wales have been playing their home qualifiers at the Cardiff City Stadium, which has a capacity of 33,280, in recent years and 3,500 tickets will be made available if that continues.
However, it hasn’t yet been confirmed whether the home of the Bluebirds will be the venue and that number would rise in the unlikely event that they change to the 74,500-seater Millennium Stadium (or Principality Stadium, as it’s now known).
Coleman said back in July that a move back to the city’s biggest ground would be a “gamble” after their good run over the past two years.
In a statement released this morning, the FAI added that a new distribution scheme has been agreed after discussions with the Confederation of Republic of Ireland Supporters Clubs. It is as follows:
- 45% distributed to supporters from affiliated football Leagues and more than 2,000 clubs which fall under their remit, Board and National Council members, players/staff, Club Ireland members, and Jack Charlton Lounge patrons.
- 40% allocated to independent supporters who are members of Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporter Clubs and Fans’ Direct.
- 15% 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.
Ireland’s next international is also against Wales when the Dragons visit Dublin on 24 March.
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