The decision to allocate just 2,400 tickets for Leicester City fans, made by Norfolk County Council's Safety Advisory Group and confirmed by the FA, was taken on police advice.

Leicester’s FA Cup tickets call was not down to Norwich City

David Cuffley Thursday, February 9, 2012
10:20 AM

Ticket allocations for away supporters at Carrow Road cup ties may be reviewed after Norwich City came under fire from angry Leicester City fans.

Under FA rules, Leicester should have received 15 per cent of seats for the fifth round match on Saturday week, which would have given them about 4,000 tickets.

Instead, their allocation is just 2,400 seats, well below 10 per cent of the ground capacity of just over 27,000.

The decision, made by Norfolk County Council’s Safety Advisory Group and confirmed by the FA, was taken on police advice.

But Leicester have made plain their disappointment at the reduced allocation and one fans’ spokesman protested: “We feel slighted by this.”

The Canaries declined to make any comment on the ticket decision, but a spokesman for the Safety Advisory Group 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 4,000.

“The Football Association took the final decision based on advice it received from the various parties involved.”

However, it said that ticket arrangements for future cup ties at Norwich should be looked at, the spokesman adding: “The Safety Advisory Group 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 per cent of away fans present.”

The Canaries’ Customer Charter for 2011-12 supports the right of away fans to attend games.

But it adds: “The club will allocate tickets for matches at Carrow Road in accordance with published ticketing regulations for the applicable competition unless it receives contrary instructions or advice from the Police or Norfolk County Council Safety Advisory Group.”

The Safety Advisory Group is made up of representatives of Norfolk County Council, who chair it, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk County Council Fire and Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service and Norwich City Council building control. Norwich City FC also attend meetings.

The last big visiting contingent at an FA Cup game at Carrow Road was in 2006, when West Ham took their full allocation of 3,400 seats for a third round tie.

A Leicester City spokesman said: “Norwich advised us of their admission prices on Friday evening but, disappointingly, we received notification on Saturday that only 2,400 tickets will be allocated.

“Upon further consultation with the Football Association, it has been confirmed that, despite the exemplary record of our travelling support in recent seasons, the decision was taken on ground safety by Norwich’s Safety Advisory Group.”

Leicester fans have contacted the Evening News to protest at their allocation, and Lance Tomlyn, of Leicester City’s Independent Supporters’ Association, urged the club to make fresh representations to Norwich.

“This is their chance for club to do something for the fans,” said Tomlyn. “I want to see them get right behind this one.”

He added: “We took 8,000 fans to Forest, who are our bitter local rivals and where if there was likely to be any trouble, it would have been there, but it wasn’t. There is no credible evidence to say we constitute a risk and we feel slighted by this.”

Manchester United complained to the FA Cup last month after their allocation for the third round tie at Manchester City was cut from 7,100 to 5,500 on safety grounds.

Last season’s two Championship fixtures between the Canaries and the Foxes passed off peacefully – Paul Lambert’s team won both matches – but there was serious trouble after the game at Leicester in 2008, with nine Norwich supporters and two Leicester fans jailed after a city centre rampage.

Concern over segregation may also have been a factor in the decision. A 4,000 allocation for Leicester would have taken up half the Jarrold Stand, also forcing the Canaries to move some of their 22,000 season ticket-holders from their usual seats.

Home tickets for the Leicester tie are on sale to season ticket-holders, super members and members until close of business tonight, with any remaining tickets on general sale from 9am tomorrow.

At Leicester, tickets went on sale yesterday to season ticket-holders. Any left will be available to members before Saturday’s match against Cardiff.

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64 comments

Before NCFC starts hanging its corporate head in shame, could we have a bit of glasnost, please? Do we EVER allocate 4000 tickets to away fans? Is 2,400 ALWAYS the "safe" limit? Are we singling out Leicester (and why should we want to?) for dastardly treatment? Will a NCFC spokesperson please put this one to bed as it is causing unnecessary bad feeling. canuk, a pal tells me that crowd v Leicester was about 42,000 and is the ground record. A lot of standing in those days! Apropos of not a lot, the match between Leicester and Cardiff yesterday (at Leicester) attracted a crowd of 21,375. Is that about 15,000 empty seats? Have Leicester fans given up on their play-off chances already? Plenty of games left for a late charge. Go for it!

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Norwich City you should hold your heads in shame. I always had respect for your club but that's now down the pan.

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Dave1954

Saturday, February 11, 2012
....and the ground was cleared early because of the threat of a German air-raid on Boulton and Paul.

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Last time I saw Leicester at Carrow road there was a crowd of 40 odd thousand in the stands and there was no trouble that I recall, but there again in those days it only cost 4 bob, and I guess times have changed..

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canuk

Saturday, February 11, 2012
What a lot of fuss about nothing. Leicester couldn't fill 4000, they only want them because they cant have them, other than nottingham which is just up the road when have they ever taken 4000 anywhere, Norwich could fill 35000 why leave seats empty, who does that gain.

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Jarroldr82

Friday, February 10, 2012
took an hour of queuing to get tickets at The Mall today such is the demand to see NCFC these days, mainly old folk and families in the queue. If any idiots decide to cause trouble on this family day out then they should be ashamed.otbc

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augustuspablo

Friday, February 10, 2012
The sensible comments have been ameliorative. So why are closed doors necessary? It is just a game of football. Super game. Even "clever" folk just get too tribal. We should welcome opposing supporters and enjoy the game. Imagine Opera-goers beating each other up. "My Soprano`s better than yours".

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
come on norwich you want to be a big club you have got to behave like one at the moment your only pretending. do the right thing send some more tickets

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fox

Friday, February 10, 2012
o dear leicester end sold out again

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fox

Friday, February 10, 2012
At this rate it will end up behind closed doors.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
So FoBC confirms the disputed number was close on 8,000. Where did Piranha get his 800 from? Or was it an attempt at irony. Or sarcasm? Let`s hope it is a FRIENDLY occasion and fans keep their less savoury tribalism under control. On both sides.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
Meant to say re. Forest v Leicester: I was there and saw no trouble, despite there being 7816 LCFC fans - and the police let both sets of fans out together. They were mingling in the street afterwards with no problems.

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FullofBullCity

Friday, February 10, 2012
Meant to say re. Forest v Leicester: I was there and saw no trouble, despite there being 7816 LCFC fans - and the police let both sets of fans out together. They were mingling in the street afterwards with no problems.

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FullofBullCity

Friday, February 10, 2012
Meant to say re. Forest v Leicester: I was there and saw no trouble, despite there being 7816 LCFC fans - and the police let both sets of fans out together. They were mingling in the street afterwards with no problems.

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FullofBullCity

Friday, February 10, 2012
All clubs of a decent size have a few idiots, Robin Hood, including Leicester, Forest & Norwich. Sorry to hear about coin-throwing, if there was any (I was there, didn't see any - and you'd have to have a strong arm and a good shot across that gap!); all I heard about was the police investigation into 100s (not all, obviously, but not just a handful) of Forest fans chanting racist slogans. Got my ticket this morning, but they've now apparently sold out - about an hour after they went on sale to all season-ticket holders, so many season-ticket holders will miss out, never mind membersgeneral sale.

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FullofBullCity

Friday, February 10, 2012
This is hard on the vast majority of Leicester fans who, despite the tribal rivalry that envelopes every football game, limit their activities to vocal support for their team. Unfortunately a very small number of their so-called fans don't and there have been regular serious issues in and around grounds in recent years (For example, at games against Norwich in 2008 and Coventry in 2010). The more worrying aspect is the continued low-level issues such as coin and stone throwing by the small minority, which was also reported in the Nottingham Forest game being held up here as an example of good behaviour by Leicester fans. On the whole it was, albeit with a massive Police presence. Without the moronic minority, I'd welcome the whole 4000 fans; Unfortunately, I suspect that the moronic minority's behaviour has adversely influenced the crowd safety decision. Let's hope that all the available tickets go to real Leicester fans.

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Robin Hood

Friday, February 10, 2012
Oops! Sorry NCFC... In my earlier post on this thread, I should have referred to the poor show by Norfolk County Council (Safety Advisory Group) and not Norwich City!

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Mel Lacey

Friday, February 10, 2012
Hi, Eastern Fox. So that 8000 is not a typo as claimed by Piranha? I must say, in a local Derby like Leicester v Forest, more than 800 should be expected. A bit of dissembling, there, maybe? I used to visit Leicester many years ago (Filbert St.) when I lived near Coventry, Another "local derby". In the days when Bobby Gould played! I hope Fox Fans are welcomed and don`t take offence at any stupid bile they may get from a minority of our "fans". This sort of thing happens everywhere, sadly. Most NCFC supporters are like yours; they just love football. There`s a LCFC fan gets in my local (Norfolk!) pub and we have a small friendly bet on it. Just a pint. Trouble is, his wife`s an Ipswich Troll and she`ll stir it up whatever the result! I think her name`s Geraldine. I wonder if that`s the long version of Ged.....??

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I wander if Vaughan or Ward will get a run out? that'd be nice.

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bristolcanary88

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Well said Mad Brewer. I am a Leicester fan who has lived and worked in Norwich for nearly 25 years among Norwich supporters and have had great banter and fun. It is a shame there are not any more tickets for LCFC fans as I think we would have sold 4,000 having taken 8,000 to Forest and indeed took 36,000 to Wembley to play Derby without any trouble. Kind comments much appreciated. By the way Pirahna the 'pathetic little corner bit 'holds 3,000 and is attached to the rest of the ground (and the bits next to it can house away fans as well).

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Eastern Fox

Thursday, February 9, 2012
But yeah I feel bad for the Leicester supporters, but as Mad Brewer said, I hope the ones who do go enjoy hopefully what will be a really friendly and enjoyable game of football.

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ImDrunky

Thursday, February 9, 2012
lol Ged you are funny.... sadly I'm laughing at you. Go and support your real team, who ever they are, I personally don't see why you pretend to be a NCFC supporter, kinda sad really.

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ImDrunky

Thursday, February 9, 2012
You really are working hard to prevent people saying NON- inflammatory things, Archant. I suppose, if you can help cause a bit of trouble, it`ll sell more of your parochial papers?

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Lambo is God speaks sense. The Moderators routinely block harmless, friendly banter, yet allow through what amounts to hate-mail from Steroo. Do Norwich Fans get on the Ipswich site and do likewise? I hope not. Like many other NCFC supporters (who may well have been blocked) I hope Leicester fans have a great day out and get a friendly greeting from our fans (and Stewards). And don`t believe everything (anything) you read in our local papers! Specially the bit about that Steroo thing being an official spokesman. A proper Walter Mitty.

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, February 9, 2012
We real Norwich fans have no issue with Leicester. Steroo is unashamedly causing trouble for his own gratification. Let`s hope nothing nasty happens as a result. I hope the Leicester fans have a good, FRIENDLY, day out.

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, February 9, 2012
This site has been made over to those who would inflame a situation. Archant, you have no shame. Surprise, surprise.

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ged, thanks for your kind comment, though I suspect NCFC's motive is more likely to be satisfying local "customers" than fear of defeat! Tom, sorry to hear about your bad experience at LCFC, but we all know that can happen to anyone at any club. The fact is Forest played the game, giving us 8000 tickets, we played the game, giving both Forest & Swindon 4000 tickets (including the seats of the very hardcore LCFC fans you probably encountered) but NCFC & their boys in blue have not "played the game", setting a precedent that could bite you on the bum in the quarter-finals!

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FullofBullCity

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ged, thanks for your kind comment, though I suspect NCFC's motive is more likely to be satisfying local "customers" than fear of defeat! Tom, sorry to hear about your bad experience at LCFC, but we all know that can happen to anyone at any club. The fact is Forest played the game, giving us 8000 tickets, we played the game, giving both Forest & Swindon 4000 tickets (including the seats of the very hardcore LCFC fans you probably encountered) but NCFC & their boys in blue have not "played the game", setting a precedent that could bite you on the bum in the quarter-finals!

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FullofBullCity

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Nice to see some Norwich fans would like to see the full allocation of tickets should go to Leicester fans. Thanks. I only hope that if a replay is required officials at Leicester don't dome up with some pathetic excuse to exclude well behaved Norwich fans from attending. Contrary to some derisory comments both clubs have a healthy away following.

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Lester Dave

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tom, based on recent LCFC matches, that is a very likely outcome! All clubs have some obnoxious fansstewards and I don't think either Leicester or Norwich are anywhere near the worst - there was no trouble last season, was there? For FAC3 Forest gave us 8000 tickets. For FAC3R & FAC4, we gave both Forest and Swindon 4000+ tickets - and moved our most vocal bloc of season-ticket holders...yet with NCFC it's a nudge and a wink with the police and "crowd safety" means you stitch up away fans at the expense of football, as you're setting a precedent. If you do win (which I expect, too), I hope you don't get a ticket for the quarter-final at Anfield, Crawley or wherever, cos of "crowd safety"!!

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FullofBullCity

Thursday, February 9, 2012
A message to all the Leicester fans out there. Can I apologise on behalf of our club. The way they have acted here is nothing short of scandalous and frankly nothing more than a form of cheating. I'm disgusted with the way you have been treated and if I were you I'd take it to the highest possible levels to try and get justice. Whilst we may be the bigger club in terms of league position our stance here just shows that we are the smaller club in terms of mentality. The club are obviously just worried that you are going to beat us and doing everything to unfairly hinder you. Again, on behalf of all the right minded Norwich fans, many apologies. Ged - Official NCFC Supporters Spokesman.

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Ged Steroo

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Fact: the Leicester following at Forest was 7816 (source: Forest official site). LCFC would have sold 4000 tickets. This is a cynical stitch-up catering for the interests of NCFC & the police at the expense of football. Incredibly, Leicester fans are deemed "high-risk" because of a fracas in Leicester (not Norwich) in 2008 that led to 11 fans being jailed, 9 of them Norwich fans - and the spineless FA capitulates. I hope the hostility caused doesn't lead to trouble on the day (it might) but do hope the precedent you've set is used against you in the future (0 away tickets for Norwich fans at any replay or quarter-final - all on "crowd safety" grounds, of course!

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FullofBullCity

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I remember that game at the Walkers Stadium in 2008 very well. My 100th away game. An occassion where I recall the worst stewarding I've ever experienced. Where Canaries fans were being routinely chucked out for having the temerity to complain about being showered in coins from the "friendly" home fans. Yes, Canaries fans behaviour in the end was not the best, but I watched it escalate due to the terrible attitude of the stewards. So, whatever the rights and wrongs of this situation, I have no love for Leicester and the fewer fans that come to Carrow Road the better. I really hope we win 1-0 with a controversial goal and an even more disputed Leicester red card just to spice it up a bit!

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Tom Jeffries

Thursday, February 9, 2012
It is possible to watch a football match sitting next to a supporter or supporters of other clubs and discover they are human beings like yourself.Surely the main thing is to get the ground full so there are no empty seats.Why not let the Leicester fans take any seats which would otherwise be empty?There was a time before segregation when this would be no problem.

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Peter Watson

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Fact: the Leicester following at Forest was 7816 (source: Forest official site). LCFC would have sold 4000 tickets. This is a cynical stitch-up catering for the interests of NCFC & the police at the expense of football. Incredibly, Leicester fans are deemed "high-risk" because of a fracas in Leicester (not Norwich) in 2008 that led to 11 fans being jailed, 9 of them Norwich fans - and the spineless FA capitulates. I hope the hostility caused doesn't lead to trouble on the day (it might) but do hope the precedent you've set is used against you in the future (0 away tickets for Norwich fans at any replay or quarter-final - all on "crowd safety" grounds, of course!

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FullofBullCity

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Leicester who? Have they got 2400 fans??

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dave123

Thursday, February 9, 2012
10000 more seats than us, thats something to brag about. You must have over 10000 spare seats each game then. Maybe the game should have been at Leicester, we could have filled your ground for you.

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Jarroldr82

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Kyle Naughton, who is on loan to Norwich City from Tottenham Hotspur, was caught twice last year breaking the speed limit in Norfolk while driving in his Audi. So there is such a thing as a quick Canary

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Pops

Thursday, February 9, 2012
capital-canary utter rubbish Leicester box office has had over 2000 general sale enquires so I am sure they would not have refused an alloucation that small. Lets see how many empty home seats there are on the day. Oh sorry as I understand your ground has nearly 10000 fewer seats than ours

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Pops

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I sit in the Jarrold stand J block so would be moved to somewhere else in the ground if Leicester took their full allocation. I still think they should be allowed the full 4000 though - its a big day out for Leicester and a chance to play against premiership opposition. It would create a great atmosphere too. What will we do if we get Man Utd or similar in the next round, will they only be allowed 2400? I doubt it.

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Jarroldr82

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I sit in the Jarrold stand J block so would be moved to somewhere else in the ground if Leicester took their full allocation. I still think they should be allowed the full 4000 though - its a big day out for Leicester and a chance to play against premiership opposition. It would create a great atmosphere too. What will we do if we get Man Utd or similar in the next round, will they only be allowed 2400? I doubt it.

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Jarroldr82

Thursday, February 9, 2012
It should be Redknapp for England, and Warnock for Spurs...

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bristolcanary88

Thursday, February 9, 2012
as i see it leicster where told they could have 4000 tickets only if they guarenteed norwich that they woul sell all of thier tickets. This was somethiing they could not guarantee so why blame norwich when the club are trying to sell as many tickets as they possibly can-unlike a suffolk club who play in front of empty blue seats

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capital-canary

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I know cup competitions give the minnows the chance to play against Premier sides and that, therefore, lower league teams might sell a few more tickets for their ‘cup final’ but, really, I’ve not heard about this lester city; are they really likely to sell more than 2,400 tickets? Could the decision have been taken by lester city officials to avoid the risk of having thousands of unsold tickets?

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Charles Orton

Thursday, February 9, 2012
To be honest, I think it's a all a bit stupid and Leicester should have been able to take their full 4000 allocation. Carrow Road is a modern equipped stadium and it should be more than capable of handling an extra 1400 away supporters. It's the suits that are making this decision, not down to limitations of the stadium! I recall around 6000 Celtic fans coming down for Tim Shepperds testimonial about 12 years ago and the took up the WHOLE of the OLD South Stand, which was practically falling to bits!! What I would add is that I understand McNally is also brassed off with the Advisory Group as they are the ones not allowing us to reduce the usual "curtain" between home and away fans, so to allow more seats to be taken up. It isn't an NCFC decision, it's the Council and Police that people should be venting their anger at. Anyway, onwards and upwards - Quarter Finals here we come!!!

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Lambo is god

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Why are Leicester huffing about the 2,400 allocation ? Is it as if they actually think that they will be able to sell that many tickets ? I doubt it.

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Dubai Canary

Thursday, February 9, 2012
You have to be an idiot to support leicester...fact. Check out wikipedia. We don;t need another 4,000 morons in Norfolk thank you very much.

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JimBob

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Why are Leicester huffing about the 2,400 allocation ? Is it as if they actually think that they will be able to sell that many tickets ? I doubt it.

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Dubai Canary

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thanks Piranha, 8,000 fans sounded a bit unlikely - a bit less sympathy now.

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Swiss Canary

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Looks like both of Leicesters fans are on here today.

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BarclayBigMouth

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Actually, thats a typo, Forest confirmed it was 800. Have you seen the pathetic corner bit Leicester give teams. As for handling it, we'd rather give our 21,000 season ticket holders a chance first. Come back when you can sell 4000 away tickets.

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Piranha24

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Agree with the Leicester fans on this. If they managed to take 8000 to Forest and it all passed off OK then what's the problem here ? Incidentally I'd be one of the Norwich fans who would have to move but I can see it from both sides. If I was a Foxes fan I wouldn't be very happy at all.

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Graham Last

Thursday, February 9, 2012
The trouble is, that is what it looks like Mr Long-name.

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Swiss Canary

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I totally agree. Come on lads, lets roll over and let Leicester win. Actually in all honestly we should let Leicester have all the tickets and we can all have a packet of crisps on the outside.

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wisemanthree

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Judging by some comments here, I am bemused as to why some people cannot comprehend the reason why things are done. NCFC could not issue 4,000 tickets because of safety reasons as given by the police. If people were hurt due to allowing more Leicester City fans into the ground, they would be the first to moan and in this day & age would no doubt try to sue.

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NorthStarRaven

Thursday, February 9, 2012
perhaps your running scared or you need a bit more advantage

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fox

Thursday, February 9, 2012
If it were the other way around we would be moaning like crazy. I know we are not used to cup runs but surely there are contingencies for this.

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Jeremy Walden

Thursday, February 9, 2012
No, Norwich can't handle a big attendance at all, we soil ourselves if the attendance reaches 700 people, I can't remember an attendance that was bigger than 800.... I mean, who has even heard of Nor witch city anyways.... *rolls eyes* (Nice to see some newbies on the site moaning about their own club's issues. Doesn't Leicester have a forum of it's own or was it closed down due to violence?)

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wisemanthree

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I'm outraged that Norfolk Police are classing our fans as dangerous, they clearly are aware that only a very small percentage of any clubs fans are a risk and if they can't manage these small number then there senior officers are not capable of the posts they occupy.Thank you Norfolk Police for stereotyping all Leicester fans.

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1964FOX

Thursday, February 9, 2012
This does not seem to be fair to the Leicester fans. I can understand why at the moment the ground cannot easily cater to 4,000 visiting fans but 2,400 does seem right.

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Swiss Canary

Thursday, February 9, 2012
It has always been known that in the F.A. Cup visiting clubs can have 15% of the ground's capacity, so why did the Safety Advisory Group not have a plan in place for that? I can fully understand Leicester City's annoyance over this poor show by Norwich City...

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Mel Lacey

Thursday, February 9, 2012
we took 8000 to forest no problem can't norwich handle a big attendance

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fox

Thursday, February 9, 2012
I am suprised that Norwich City could not find an excuse to not give any tickets to Leicester, surely a few 'freebies' to NCC would have solved the problem.

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Redsforever

Thursday, February 9, 2012
There was a bit of bother with Norwich fans at Leicester a few seasonsn ago but this is setting a dodgy precednet. We would be te hfirst to complain if our allocation were restricted for an away game. I believe the standing record is against Leicester (?) are the club trying for a seating record as well? As for segregation I thought the whole design of the Jarrold stand took that into account.

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Jeremy Walden

Thursday, February 9, 2012