FAI Rip off Supporters Clubs...

**harpskid** · 04/05/2005, 6:46 PM

I wonder if that would be a viable option Collie. It would certainly be worth looking into, and it would be interesting to hear the reaction if we got Kerr on our side

**Bald Student** · 04/05/2005, 7:00 PM

Originally Posted by Colie

I think Brian Kerr needs to be confronted on this.

I agree in principle but I don't think anyone should make contact with him unless they know him. He was mentioned in the press release and that is enough of an invitation for him to give his view. There's no point in annoying him when he does after all have a game to prepare for. He might not want to get involved in FAI politics.

**Colie** · 04/05/2005, 7:12 PM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

I agree in principle but I don't think anyone should make contact with him unless they know him. He was mentioned in the press release and that is enough of an invitation for him to give his view. There's no point in annoying him when he does after all have a game to prepare for. He might not want to get involved in FAI politics.

I agree, I don't mean we confront him, I mean the press at the next press conference or an open question in an article, that sort of thing. He is the one that tried to get the league fans sorted in the first place tho so he's in this whether he likes it or not. Don't get me wrong, I love him, but I think he's on our side & being the manager should hold some sway.

**Saint Tom** · 04/05/2005, 7:19 PM

as a saint, many of the locals know Brian and believe me, he will be involved in any initiative that takes away the right of the true hardcore fans to go Landsdowne. i was in tel aviv and cant get a ticket in Dublin says it all really

**pete** · 04/05/2005, 9:47 PM

The big issue i think is how the FAI can suddenly suggest that have to give 3600 tickets to France when anybody with half a clue would know they'd take up their ticket allocation - if the FAI had mentioned that at the start of the qualifying campaign then would be fair enough.

Good press release. Important to point out the different arrangements in last campaign (match per match basis) & current campaign (fans had to commit in advance). Could mention how much eL fans contribute to IRISH football yearly.

The media love an FAI bashing story so be surprised if no takers.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 04/05/2005, 11:10 PM

The ticket situation is a disgrace. I stopped attending Republic of Ireland Senior Men's International games on a regular basis in 1990 when Lansdowne's capacity was reduced from 40,000 to 33,000 for competitive games. I have on occasion acquired the odd ticket to friendly internationals, even winning one in a draw on one occasion.
The way the EL fans are being treated is a disgrace and the man responsible is John Delaney. The buck stops with him.
We were given an EL allocation by Fran Rooney, and since he has been shafted the new broom is sweeping clean.

Previous posters are correct the FAI have acted in a fraudulent manner in this issue and it might be worthwhile contacting a solicitor to see if any redress is possible. As regards a fanzine, great idea. As regards a real supporters organisation that will act on behalf of EL supporters on this and other issues, well good luck to whoever wishes to organise it.#
Having started down that road myself with an organisation some 10 years ago it eventually petered out when the looming crisis that brought it about had been successfully averted. Some of the early members thought that's it job done time to move on.

Well there is a need for some form of organisation now.
I'd be interested to see who brings it about and how it is intended to recruit members etc and will the committee do any of the nitty gritty work required?

**bluemovie** · 05/05/2005, 12:03 AM

Well done on the press release. Send it to columnists (Dolan, Roddy, Dervan) as well as sports editors. They might take more interest as they can comment on what they like. As for Brian Kerr, I think it should be sent to him to. No harm so long as he is informed rather than 'confronted' about it.

**Buile Shuibhne** · 05/05/2005, 4:57 AM

from the Irish Independent:

FAI hit by World Cup tickets row

Thursday May 5th 2005

The FAI is on a collision course with angry eircom League supporters' groups, who have had their allocation for Ireland's forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel slashed by 70 percent.

Over the last two years, supporters' clubs connected with eircom League clubs have been allocated over 700 tickets for every international game at Lansdowne Road. However, as the Israeli FA has signified its intention to take up its full allocation of 3,600 seats for the tie, the FAI has had to cut the eircom League supporters' allocation to just 240.

The eircom League supporters groups, under the banner of the National League Supporters' Association, claim that they have block bookings and are insisting on their full allocation for every game.

The FAI insist that their agreement with the supporters' groups was always based on the number of tickets returned by visiting associations but concede that the groups have always received the same number of tickets for every match over the last two years because no visiting team has ever taken up its full allocation.

"The simple problem is there are not enough tickets," said an FAI spokesperson.

Owen Cowzer

� Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/ & http://www.unison.ie/

**michaelguineys** · 05/05/2005, 8:09 AM

Its in the Irish Examiner aswell this morning.
David Ludzik wrote a good piece.
Do ye think the FAi are gonna take notice tho and do something bout it?????????
Im so disgusted with it. We go to all the not so glamourous friendlies and then they go and ditchus for the big games. Unbelievable

**Rochey** · 05/05/2005, 8:21 AM

Having started down that road myself with an organisation some 10 years ago it eventually petered out when the looming crisis that brought it about had been successfully averted. Some of the early members thought that's it job done time to move on.

Well there is a need for some form of organisation now.
I'd be interested to see who brings it about and how it is intended to recruit members etc and will the committee do any of the nitty gritty work required?

Thats what happens with organisations born out of crisis however if people are serious there is always need for a group made up of fans to lobby the FAI, Media ect on behalf of supports as no one else will. Its up to us to start an organisation like that and try to keep it going after that. No point no starting something because it might peter out eventually you never know it just might take off.

**doggy** · 05/05/2005, 9:02 AM

Ticket Information - Home Games
All tickets for the Republic of Ireland's home qualifying matches for 2006 World Cup are allocated to our Season Ticket holders (who buy for every match), Long Term Ticket holders, Leagues and Clubs throughout Ireland, sponsors etc.

10% of the capacity must be reserved for Visiting Associations. If they do not take up their full allocation, we may be in a position to sell any returns to the general public, subject to potential security concerns. Details on the sale of returns will be posted on this site as soon as available. This would usually be 10 days before the match in question.

Legally with this said we have everything in our favour to get OUR correct number of tickets

**Mr_T** · 05/05/2005, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by Fintan Cassidy

from the Irish Independent:

FAI hit by World Cup tickets row

Thursday May 5th 2005

The FAI is on a collision course with angry eircom League supporters' groups, who have had their allocation for Ireland's forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel slashed by 70 percent.

Over the last two years, supporters' clubs connected with eircom League clubs have been allocated over 700 tickets for every international game at Lansdowne Road. However, as the Israeli FA has signified its intention to take up its full allocation of 3,600 seats for the tie, the FAI has had to cut the eircom League supporters' allocation to just 240.

The eircom League supporters groups, under the banner of the National League Supporters' Association, claim that they have block bookings and are insisting on their full allocation for every game.

The FAI insist that their agreement with the supporters' groups was always based on the number of tickets returned by visiting associations but concede that the groups have always received the same number of tickets for every match over the last two years because no visiting team has ever taken up its full allocation.

"The simple problem is there are not enough tickets," said an FAI spokesperson.

Owen Cowzer

� Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/ & http://www.unison.ie/

This part is totally untrue, this is the crux of the problem.

TG

**Bald Student** · 05/05/2005, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_T

This part is totally untrue

Can we prove that to be the case? Were the finn harps lads talking about having e-mails from the FAI confirming the block booking status? If so, I think another press release is in order pointing out the lies told by the FAI spokesperson. The newspapers would probably publish something if we can prove that what was published today is incorrect.

**Rochey** · 05/05/2005, 10:55 AM

I think someone on here earlier said that there was only 23000 at the canada game. You can guarantee that there was more than 700 people who werent at that game or didnt have to pay for tickets for that game who will be guaranteed tickets for the qualifying games. It's only mugs like us who would gladly go to every game that will be asked to fork over the big bucks and told to F**k off and let other people take our seats for the qualifiers.

**tiktok** · 05/05/2005, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by ROCHEY

I think someone on here earlier said that there was only 23000 at the canada game. You can guarantee that there was more than 700 people who werent at that game or didnt have to pay for tickets for that game who will be guaranteed tickets for the qualifying games.

Unfortunately Rochey, you can't prove they didn't buy tickets, you can only prove they didn't use them.

**harpskid** · 05/05/2005, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Fintan Cassidy

The FAI insist that their agreement with the supporters' groups was always based on the number of tickets returned by visiting associations but concede that the groups have always received the same number of tickets for every match over the last two years because no visiting team has ever taken up its full allocation.

This was the case for the euros, but when the WC Qualifying campaign started I was of the opinion that we were on the block booking list.

Didn't they say this was the case...

**tiktok** · 05/05/2005, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by harpskid

This was the case for the euros, but when the WC Qualifying campaign started I was of the opinion that we were on the block booking list.

Didn't they say this was the case...

They did say it AFAIK, but I'm not sure anyone has it in writing.
I've emailed the FAI for clarification this morning but haven't received a reply yet.

**Rochey** · 05/05/2005, 11:12 AM

Unfortunately Rochey, you can't prove they didn't buy tickets, you can only prove they didn't use them.

True its just a pity that the goodwill created between eircom league supports and the FAI having introduced the scheme has been destroyed following this stunt.

**James** · 05/05/2005, 11:37 AM

one of many fans on this one more then likely who have taken 2 or 3 tickets only to have it cut down to 1.
I have 2 buddies new to going to soccer games i was trying to get into the atmosphere of a live match over the barstool. Now after Canada & China etc i have to tell them theres gona be nothing for France & Switz.

Typical incompetence from the FAI
"we care about irish football" - me ******

**tiktok** · 05/05/2005, 12:03 PM

So far today it's been mentioned in the Indo as highlighted above
There's a good piece in the Irish Examiner
The Indo piece is pretty much repeated in the evening Herald
The Irish Times carries a small piece at the end of a story on rovers.
Anyone know yet if the Echo picked up on it?