england may play match in empty wembley. . .

Stevie H · June 9, 2009

not sure whose side i am on with this one.

Tube strike may force England to play Andorra qualifier behind closed doors

• Fears about how to manage 70,000 fans leaving ground

• FA will not pursue closed doors option unless it is unavoidable

Matt Scott

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ju...andorra-wembley

The Football Association, police and Brent Council officials are meeting today to discuss the implications of the tube workers' strike for England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley tomorrow night.

The council must issue a stadium safety certificate in conjunction with police but fears about how to manage the departure of 70,000 fans from the ground without any available London Underground service have added a fresh focus to the routine talks ahead of the game. One extreme measure under consideration is to play the match behind closed doors, however that is not an option the FA wants to pursue unless it is unavoidable.

Reimbursing fans for ticket sales would cost the FA £1.75m at a time of increasing financial pressure for the game's governing body.

"The FA and Wembley are closely monitoring the situation and will convey any subsequent implications for England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra as soon as anything is confirmed by the authorities," said the FA today in a statement.

johngibo YPC · June 9, 2009

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