FAI to appeal Andorra venue decision
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The FAI are to appeal the decision by UEFA Competitions Department, to play the EURO 2012 qualifying game between Andorra and Ireland on October 7th, in Andorra. Both the FAI and Andorran FA had previously stated that they would like to play the game in Barcelona.
UEFA have rejected the Andorran FA’s request to play in Barcelona despite according to the FAI a precedent which has been set by UEFA and FIFA in the past by allowing Andorra to play Ireland, Holland and England (twice) in the Catalan capital.
FAI chief executive John Delaney said,” We are appealing this decision with UEFA”. “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”. An FAI statement said “the FAI has written to UEFA’s Head of Competitions and General Secretary and made the following key points:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.”
Many Irish fans have booked flights to and accommodation in Barcelona and will be hoping the FAI appeal with be successful. This is a point also made by John Delaney, “This is a real blow to our fans many of whom have already made their arrangements to travel”, he said.
UEFA have rejected the Andorran FA’s request to play in Barcelona despite according to the FAI a precedent which has been set by UEFA and FIFA in the past by allowing Andorra to play Ireland, Holland and England (twice) in the Catalan capital.
FAI chief executive John Delaney said,” We are appealing this decision with UEFA”. “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”. An FAI statement said “the FAI has written to UEFA’s Head of Competitions and General Secretary and made the following key points:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.”
Many Irish fans have booked flights to and accommodation in Barcelona and will be hoping the FAI appeal with be successful. This is a point also made by John Delaney, “This is a real blow to our fans many of whom have already made their arrangements to travel”, he said.
