I feel for fans over ticket cut for Cup clash, says Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson said he was disappointed that City have had their ticket allocation cut for the FA Cup fifth round trip to Norwich City and questioned the motives behind the decision.
City have been informed that instead of the 15 percent of tickets they were entitled to, around 4,200, they will only receive 2,400 tickets from the Canaries because of 'health and safety' issues.
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Nigel Pearson
The decision was taken by Norfolk County Council's safety advisory group (SAG)after advice from Norfolk Police, but while they have promised to review their procedures in future, they have refused to climb down from the decision and give City the full 15 percent of tickets available.
"It is very, very disappointing for our fans," said Pearson.
"I think the card that has been used has been the health and safety one, which I find bizarre but there you are.
"You will have to ask Norwich the real reasons for it.
"We took 8,000 to Nottingham Forest in the third round and it wasn't a problem.
"I think it is very disappointing for us as a club and certainly for our supporters who follow us in big numbers.
"It is a real shame that there is no chance of us overturning that decision.
"Maybe it is to keep their season ticket holders happy, but unfortunately the official line is health and safety."
Norfolk Police have refused to comment further on the reasons why they have advised SAG to cut the allocation for City's visit.
They issued a statement yesterday in conjunction with Norfolk County Council, which said: "Following representations from the football club and advice from Norfolk Constabulary, the Safety Advisory Group supported the Constabulary's view that, on this occasion, the visiting supporters allocation should not be increased to 4000.
"The Football Association took the final decision based on advice which it received from the various parties involved.
"The SAG supports Norfolk Constabulary's suggestion that a review be carried out with the aim of enabling future cup ties to go ahead safely with 15 percent of away fans present."
Yesterday, the Mercury reported the anger of City fans after the announcement of the reduced allocation was confirmed by Norwich.
A SAG spokesman said it will now review its policy so that in future cup-ties, the club can offer the full 15 per cent allocation to visiting supporters.
Cliff Ginnetta, of the official supporters club, said he has been inundated with messages from fans who have been dismayed by the reduced allocation.
He said: "I am very disappointed and, to me, it smacks of trying to keep down the cost of policing the match.
"We would have easily sold 4,000 tickets and the FA should have ensured that the club received its full allocation.
"Perhaps we should only give them a minimum allocation if the match ends up needing a replay."
22 Comments
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by chalky77
Sunday, February 12 2012, 3:53PM
“yes carrow road has under soil heating so theres no doudt about the game being called off at all”
by GreatCanaries
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:55PM
“We have very good undersoil heating , thank you very much . I know we are fighting above our weight , and yes we are flattering to deceive , we should not be were we are .
I know you will win , i expect you too .”
by foxyrod
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:46PM
“most leicester fans and neutrals all over england admire what paul lambert and your team have achieved in the last 3 seasons and i for one think both norwich who play good attacking football and swansea who are a very good passing side will both stay up .i also think it will be a very hard match on saturday , weather permitting ( please tell me you are a big enough club to have undersoil heating ) because thats my only worry.im glad your a premier club , and im glad your favourites. because your side are not quite as good as your league position portays and we are better than our current position. leicester city may not be the most succesful club in the world but one thing we are, is a great underdog club. as a bookie i suggest all you norwich fans, who seem to have landed on here, to bet on leicester for saturdays cup game because the odds are false and the value lies in an away win. and to all fellow leicester fans remember ghostys campaign BUY NO PROGRAMMES, BUY NO DRINKS AND BUY NO BURGERS OR PIES . LETS SMUGGLE THE PACK UP IN”
by chalky77
Sunday, February 12 2012, 11:49AM
“norman 09 you really think were getting relegated lmao..8th in the premier league ! all these sad bitter comments about norwich are just Jealousy..bitter muppet !”
by GreatCanaries
Sunday, February 12 2012, 9:51AM
“If you are so sure of yourselves , surely you would want to thump us at home ? Or do you only want to fight your own battles in the safety of your own home ? We shall see what happens soon , we probably will not stay up , but at least we have given it a good go , can you honestly think you have this season ???”
by Norman09
Sunday, February 12 2012, 9:30AM
“chalky77
Crawl back into your cheese. Your lot will be in this division come MAY so don't start blowing your trumpet just yet. I really hope we have a replay and then murder your lot at our beautiful Kingpower Stadium.”
by fingers_pete
Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:40PM
“Not only is the decision an insult to LCFC and all their supporters, it is disgracefully condoned, but perhaps not surprisingly, by the FA. Anything for a quiet life!
Furthermore, by using the phrase 'high-risk', I really have to question the level of intelligence of these do-gooders. The phrase is most regrettable and indeed I see it as being more provocative than salutary. Talk about showing a red rag to a bull!
I have written personally to the Chief Constable of Norwich inviting his views as to the justfication of this decision.
I really think somebody should bang all their heads together and try to make them see sense. I fear that all they have done is to open a can of worms.
It is also most regrettable that neither ITV nor ESPN have seen fit to show the game live in their schedules.
There is still time for a rethink!”
by leicesterusa
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:25PM
“Hey chalky77 sounds like you need a job do you have too much free time on your hands .cant afford to be on your own web site or just too much of the low class living over there”
by leicesterusa
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:17PM
“you couldent pay me to watch a game in norwich in that low class town and that low class stadium.they should tear the place down and build a prison,that should make there council and the police happy and employed”
by foxyjim
Saturday, February 11 2012, 2:44PM
“had to resort to buying a ticket in the home end! any other leicester fans been forced into this?”