Official: Less Spurs Fans The Better

The ticket fiasco regarding the Carling cup semi final allocations has finally been resolved by the football league arbitration panel, and it agree’s with us; The less Spurs fans the better!

Competition rules state that all away clubs are allocated 15% of the home teams stadium capacity. However due to Arsenal’s massive new stadium, it would have seen 9,000 (almost a quarter of their own stadium) Spurs fans descending upon Ashburton Grove.

The official word was that The club, football league and metropolitan police were worried about the jump from 3,000 to 9,000 away supporters attending a game in one fell swoop with no prior testing, however, the history and rivalry between the two clubs and the sheer volume of Spurs fans could be a recipe for destruction.

Here’s the clubs official statement.

“In relation to the ticket allocation for away supporters for the tie at Emirates Stadium, the Club is pleased that the Football League upheld its decision to cap the number at 5173, as the safety of spectators is paramount. Emirates Stadium has been designed to host up to 9000 away supporters for a cup competition fixture in line with the 15% regulation. However, to date, we have not hosted a cup match at Emirates Stadium and were therefore advised by the Football Licensing Authority and Islington Council, as well as supported by the Met Police, that it was unsafe to make the considerable increase from 3000 to 9000 away supporters in one single step.

“On the upside, as a result of accommodating over 5000 away supporters for the first time at Emirates Stadium on January 31st, we will be in a position to review the opposition`s allocation with the necessary parties for future cup ties. This will hopefully enable the Club to provide visiting teams with the maximum 15% allocation for the FA Cup and Carling Cup competitions.

“We now look forward, to what we hope will be, two exciting derby matches between the two north London sides.”

Less tickets for Spuddies mean more for the Gooners…..HURRAHH!!!