Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs (AONISC), has welcomed the arrangement whereby fans who had booked travel and accommodation for the Nations League game against Georgia in September before it was announced it would take place behind closed doors will receive match tickets for the fixture.
In February, it was confirmed that Northern Ireland’s opening game in League B2 on 25 September would be played behind closed doors after the Georgian Football Federation was hit with sanctions as a result of multiple breaches of Uefa regulations and crowd disorder at a game against Armenia last year.
Uefa disciplinary regulations allow for up to 200 visiting supporters to attend a game in such a scenario.
Article 73 (a) states that “a maximum of 200 people holding category 1 tickets from the visiting club or association” may be present at the match.
On Wednesday, the Irish Football Association (IFA) confirmed that following “constructive dialogue with Uefa”, those who had booked flights and accommodation in Georgia would be permitted to attend the game with a valid proof of purchase.
McAllister says that the AONISC only initially became aware of the issue when it was contacted by Football Supporters Europe and then held positive discussions with the IFA, having advised fans not to book flights.
Fans who had made prior bookings, understood to be less than 100, will receive the Category 1 tickets allocated to the association for the match, and be allowed inside the stadium. Supporters who have not already booked travel should not do so.
“Once we became aware of this issue, we immediately warned fans not to book flights, and we also advised those who had already gone ahead and done so to check their cancellation rights,” said McAllister.
“We then made representations to the Irish FA to request that fans would be allowed to access some of the Category 1 ticket allocation.
“The IFA then asked fans to provide proof of their flight bookings, and I understand that those who did before the deadline have now been contacted.
“Whilst we welcome this outcome and are pleased to have been able to play our part and assist those impacted by the situation, there remains the wider issue of Uefa sanctions continuing to punish innocent fans alongside those who are guilty.”
