Really? I rang them an hour ago and they said nothing had been decided yet and it's be next week before they knew? Russian fingerprints all over this....Quote:
Originally Posted by dotts101
Boll1x anyway, full statement here...
FAI appealing UEFA’s decision on Andorra match venue
The FAI is seeking to have the decision of UEFA’s Competitions Department to proceed with the Andorra vs. Republic of Ireland game in Andorra overturned. The FAI has appealed to UEFA to seek to have the Andorran FA’s original request for the game to be played in Barcelona upheld.
Commenting on the decision by the UEFA Competition’s Department, FAI CEO John Delaney said the decision goes against previous UEFA and FIFA precedents involving Ireland, England and the Netherlands – all of whom have played their matches against Andorra in Barcelona without issue.
“We are appealing this decision with UEFA”, Delaney added. “Given previous precedents, and the likely volume of fans wanting to attend, we believe the game should take place in Barcelona particularly as the home association had made the request to UEFA ”, Delaney said. “This is a real blow to our fans many of whom have already made their arrangements to travel”, he added.
The FAI has written to UEFA’s Head of Competitions and engaged in a series of contacts to have the decision re-considered. The FAI has also written to UEFA’s General Secretary seeking a reconsideration of the venue.
Among the key points made by the FAI to UEFA in appealing the decision were:
The FAI has co-operated fully with the Andorra Football Association’s request to UEFA to stage the game in Barcelona following their approach to the UEFA Competitions Department in early July. Both associations had agreed that they were willing to play the game in Barcelona.
The previous Andorra vs. Republic of Ireland game was also played in Barcelona on 28/3/2001. There is a series of precedents in the recent past which all concur with the game being played in Barcelona. These include two matches between Andorra and England and one between Andorra and the Netherlands in addition to the above mentioned match versus Ireland.
The interest in the game from the Irish supporters is very significant and many fans have already made flight booking and hotel accommodation arrangements. The disruption and financial pain, particularly in these very difficult economic times when fans have very little disposable income, caused to these fans will be immense. The FAI also believes that many more fans intended travelling, over and above those already committed.
The FAI believes that in light of the many precedents and examples of UEFA and FIFAs’ willingness to allow Andorra to use Barcelona previously and in the interests of all the fans who would wish to attend the game, the fixture would be best served by taking place in Barcelona.
