Injustice for Travelling Fans
Injustice for Travelling Fans
As you obviously all know, the Socceroos will be playing 2 away matches in June. One in Dubai against Iraq, and the other in Qatar against, you guessed it, Qatar. Our dedicated traveling Socceroo supporters still have no information on obtaining tickets for independent travellers.
There are of course package deals available from the Fanatics. An Australian Sports Travel Company. By all means, use this company if you do not wish to organise your own itinerary. However, due to my experience during the World Cup in 2006, I cannot endorse this company on this Blog.
A mate of mine who has booked his own tour through the middle east with his wife has so far been unable to find out how to obtain tickets, as have many other Aussies who can be found on the Green and Gold Army Forum. A number of these people including my mate have contacted the FFA (Football Federation Australia), our governing body. Below is an e-mail to the FFA and their answer.
“Dear FFA,
As per my previous correspondence I am growing even more concerned, being only 3 weeks out from leaving Australia and still having no official word on the availability of tickets for the upcoming WCQ matches in Dubai and Doha.
In your reply you have stated that “Despite attempts we have not received any information”, but surely there must be information available now as I have confirmed that an Australian tour company, The Fanatics, are selling packages with tickets for these games.
I have no intention of paying the inflated Fanatics prices for their packages just to get tickets, as I have already booked accommodation and scheduled our itinerary. It would most distressing to believe the FFA are implicitly trying to force the most dedicated Socceroo supporters (you would have to admit, the people who travel to the Middle East for these games must be reasonably dedicated) to take up the Fanatics package. If this is not the case (and I truly hope not), then if a private company can access tickets, surely a national federation playing in the fixture should be able to access tickets for the handful of its supporters who will be attending.
As I have stated earlier this situation is becoming concerning now, as it is only 3 weeks before we leave on our Middle Eastern trip to support our beloved Socceroos. I really hope you can shed some light very soon on the availability for tickets for these WCQ’s
Yours in football,…..”
Answer
“Dear Chris,
As mentioned previously, FFA do not have control over ticketing in other countries. If we are able to attain information we will post this to our website immediately for public access, however for the time being we have not received such details.
If you wish to contact Fanatics to see if they have any ticketing details please do so.
Once again, FFA apologise for any inconvenience.
Kind regards,
Football Federation Australia“
In my view this is totally unacceptable from the governing body. How dare they treat the fans, the people who actually turn up in far flung places to watch the Socceroos, like they do not exist? I can assure you that nearly every one of those fans will be watching Australia play in Brisbane AND Sydney LIVE at the venue. Close to full venues in these cities will benefit the FFA financially. Put something back into supporting the fans that support you’re National Team Ben Buckley, and you will reap even bigger rewards.
If the Fanatics can obtain Tickets I am damn sure the FFA can. All the independent traveller wants is access to Match tickets without HAVING to buy an accommodation package as well.
Fair go FFA, support your fans. We are the people who eventually pay your wages and I bet, your bonuses as well.
Cheers
Terry
May 15 2008 08:24 pm | Helpful Posts and World Cup
Ben on 15 May 2008 at 8:54 pm #
What dribble Terry, this is lame shite.
Good luck with your campaign because if I was the FFA I wouldn’t thing you had half a brain writing this crap!
I am sure this comment will get deleted because you only want to hear from people who agree with you.
Terry on 16 May 2008 at 3:41 pm #
Hi Ben, you certainly have issues don’t you. As your e-mail address suggests you are Ben Buckley, and you state “if i was the FFA”, i am assuming you are the lame shite who is full of crap. Or you are my cousin taking the piss out of me.
And I did not delete it.
Yours in football
Terry
cbead on 16 May 2008 at 5:27 pm #
Ben, I wouldn’t think you had half a brain writing “I wouldn’t THING you have half a brain”…
Sounds suspiciously like your cousin taking the piss Tez.
M.K on 16 May 2008 at 9:50 pm #
This can not happen, surely FIFA have an arrangement with home FA’s to ensure travelling away fans have at least some access to tickets. By forcing the General public in to paying highly inflated prices for a “Fanatics” tour is unjust. Why would anyone in their right mind go on a tour with tour leaders that are uninformed about the game and are just out to make a quick buck.
Simon on 01 Jun 2008 at 4:44 am #
Hi folks,
Im sitting in Oman, have convinced my boss for a few days off, and have the bags packed to head to Dubai for the big game with Iraq. BUT, I have searched websites, called concierges in Dubai, and no one knows how to get tickets. I can’t believe this. Well i’m going, and if I have to buy tickets from scalpers in the 40+ degree heat I will. Just pisses me of there is no way to get more info. I hope someone succeeds and informs all!
Terry on 01 Jun 2008 at 7:06 am #
Unfortunately Simon, this still seems to be the case for all Aussie fans. When in Dubai, catch up with the travelling Aussies from the Green and Gold Army and see what they are doing.
thommo on 02 Jun 2008 at 6:37 pm #
I am an aussie who lives in Dubai and I still have no information about how to get tickets. I think it is disgraceful how the ffa treats its travelling independent supporters. Less than a week from the game and ….nothing? Can you imagine the backlash the english fa would receive if they gave a lame excuse to the letter above? Sadly I think the the point being made about the ffa aligning themselves with the fanatics is true. Been very sceptical about this since World Cup ’06 and their ticketing arrangements. Just going to turn up to the game and hope for the best. Go the Socceroos!
Thommo
Terry on 03 Jun 2008 at 5:55 pm #
I feel your pain Thommo. Read the GGA site for up to date info on the tickets. I think we need to have a concerted campaign against the FFA over this.
Hands On Football » Shame Iraq FA, Shame on 07 Jun 2008 at 8:12 am #
[...] wrote about the FFA and their lack of enthusiasm in ticket information for the travelling fan. This is the result of such inaction. I say Shame FFA, [...]