At least we're not alone then...Originally Posted by Barna Bee
French fear Irish may get louder support in Paris
Tue 5 October, 2004 16:39
CLAIREFONTAINE, France, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Defender Mikael Silvestre called on the Paris public to fill the Stade de France on Saturday to support the national team in their World Cup qualifier against Ireland.
No less than 25,000 Irish fans are expected in the 77,000-seat stadium and the French fear the Group Four game may feel like an away match.
"Our fans will have to be present in numbers on Saturday," Silvestre said on Tuesday. "Because what I'm certain of is that Ireland's supporters are going to make themselves heard there.
"A third of the public will be supporting the visitors. It's just amazing."
The French Football Federation made 25,000 tickets available to Ireland.
"It's not when you are world champions that you need supporters," said Silvestre. "It's when you are struggling. If the fans want to see us in the 2006 World Cup they have to come on Saturday.
"I'm aware that a match against Ireland doesn't have the appeal of one against Brazil. But if we want to play Brazil again we first have to beat Ireland. We can't skip steps."
The French players have often complained about the Stade de France crowd, saying it is mainly made of up VIPs and guests and not real fans.
"The atmosphere is not that great there," former captain Didier Deschamps said once. "We would love to have in Paris a crowd like they have in Marseille."
At least we're not alone then...
Haha,we`ll still beat yiz ye aul bollloxx
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