Irish fans could lose out as Wales threaten to cut ticket allocation

The match may be over two months away but things are already heating up between the Republic of Ireland and Wales, off the pitch at least.

Our boys in green finished off 2016 in style when they secured a vital away win against Austria in Vienna. The result catapulted Ireland to the top of Group D in the world cup qualifying stakes. This result in conjunction with the Welsh dropping two points to Serbia, means that Martin O'Neill's men are in an excellent position to qualify for their first World Cup tournament since 2002. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/812681470179471360 Ireland have yet to play Wales during this qualification campaign and the first match between the sides takes place in the Aviva Stadium on 24th March. Wales will be desperate to get a result here, knowing that a defeat for Chris Coleman's men could all but end their hopes of qualification. https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/797554828545298433 The match is also a derby of sorts and with many players in the Welsh team familiar to Irish fans, it is undoubtedly an eagerly awaited clash. With this in mind, Welsh fans will want make their presence felt in Dublin as they aim to cheer on their boys to a much-needed victory. According to a report by the BBC, however, they may not get to do this to the extent that they would like. According to this report, the chairman of Wales' fan group, Vince Alm, has stated that they will only receive 3,300 (6.4% allocation) tickets for the Aviva clash, significantly below the 10% which they offered Republic of Ireland fans for the return clash at the Cardiff City Stadium in October. Alm revealed his frustration at the expected ticket allocation:

"That's what's been talked about (10% allocation), which would take us just over 5,000. We're being penalised for having a smaller stadium, if it's true. We're giving them 10% of the crowd and we're only having five or six per cent of the crowd in Ireland."

Alm also stated that if what he expects is true, then Irish fans could lose out as they will reduce the 10% allocation they have offered to the Republic of Ireland. Ultimately though, he hopes that a mutual agreement can be reached whereby 10% is offered between both associations.

"Whatever they offer us, I would go tit-for-tat and I would reduce their (allocation) to five or six per cent. But ultimately, let's do the gentleman's agreement and have the 10%."

According to the report, the FAI have declined to comment but they are expected to announce the official ticket allocation this week.