THE FA of Wales have expressed their regret over an embarrassing error which could see hundreds of fans forced to hand back tickets for this month’s Euro 2012 qualifying clash with England.
More than 900 England supporters have been told to return tickets for the sell-out clash after an administrative error saw seats released that should not have gone on sale.
And the FAW have confirmed there has also been a “knock-on effect” which could see scores of Welsh fans eager to see Gary Speed make his competitive bow as Wales national boss disappointed.
“It is with regret that I must confirm the FAW has had to reduce the number of tickets for the Wales v England match on Saturday, March 26,” said chief executive Jonathan Ford.
“The reason for this reduction is that the total tickets that the FAW understood could be made available for sale was incorrect.
“On behalf of the FAW, I would like to apologise for the disappointment this will cause.”
It is not known how many Wales fans have been unwittingly affected by the administrative error, although it is thought to be fewer than the 951 that the English FA will now have to take back from their supporters.
But, having sold out the 74,500 capacity Millennium for the first time in six years, the Welsh FA admit it was inevitable fans would be disappointed to miss out – even before the error.
“There’s a lot of Welsh fans who will be disappointed because of the massive interest in this game,” said a FAW spokesman. “
“We sold out very quickly and could have sold a lot more. Our last crowd was just over 14,000 and this is quite extraordinary, even for a game against England
“There are fans who handed their applications back before the deadline who’ve unfortunately not been able to have tickets because of them going on sale in a first-come, first-served basis.
“But unfortunately there will also be a knock-on effect from this administrative error which will also come as a disappointment to some.”
The English FA, said to be fuming about the ticket hitch, pressed the FAW to hold onto the tickets but were told there was no option but for supporters affected to return them.
With close to 8,000 away fans expected in Cardiff for the first meeting between the sides since Joe Cole’s winner sealed a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in 2005, England have still received more than the Uefa-required minimum of 10 per cent.
“The FA shares the disappointment fans will sense at being let down for this crucial match,” said the English FA in a letter to fans, confirming they would fully refund any person affected.
And Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke called for fans to be compensated rather than simply refunded.
He said: “It is a pretty deplorable situation and we would want to have discussions urgently with the FA about what approach they are going to take for this and in what ways they might compensate those affected.”
As for whether it is the English or Welsh association who will take responsibility for compensating those affected, Clarke said: “That is really a matter for them to sort out themselves.
“I don’t think the fans will be particularly interested in that issue. I’m sure privately the FA will be having words with the Welsh FA anyway about that point.
“I think they should have some additional form of compensation for this mistake because it’s very annoying to be told you’ve been successful in getting a ticket and then have that taken away from you.
“This will be a very, very high-demand game for obvious reasons.
“Somebody has got to do more than just refund everything.”
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