f.a backs gooners
The Football League have backed Arsenal in their row with Tottenham over the ticket allocation for Spurs fans for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal were unwilling to allocate 15 per cent of Emirates Stadium's capacity to Spurs fans for the game on January 31 on the grounds of spectator safety. The two North London clubs were unable to come to an amicable agreement over ticketing, leaving the Football League arbitration committee to make a final ruling. The decision was taken to limit the number of Spurs supporters to 5173, a significant amount less than the 15 per cent requirement. "In relation to the ticket allocation for away supporters for the tie at Emirates Stadium, the club is pleased that the Football League upheld its decision to cap the number at 5173, as the safety of spectators is paramount," a statement on Arsenal's official website read. "Emirates Stadium has been designed to host up to 9000 away supporters for a cup competition fixture in line with the 15 per cent regulation. "However, to date, we have not hosted a cup match at Emirates Stadium and were therefore advised by the Football Licensing Authority and Islington Council, as well as supported by the Met Police, that it was unsafe to make the considerable increase from 3000 to 9000 away supporters in one single step." The Football League also set ticket prices for the game in line with Arsenal's Category B pricing system after the two clubs could not agree on a pricing structure for the game. Arsenal had hoped to reduce prices significantly in all areas of the ground but fans may now have to pay as much as £66 to watch the game. The statement added: "In line with our Carling Cup ticketing policy, where pricing is significantly reduced, the club proposed that all tickets within the stadium would be priced at £40 in the upper tier and £30 in the lower tier, together with concessions for children and OAPs for all areas of the stadium, including the away section. "The two clubs did not agree on this policy and the Football League ruled that we had to implement our Category B pricing structure whereby tickets cost between £32 and £66. "The club reluctantly accepted this judgment but appealed that concessions were to be made available in all areas of the ground. We are therefore pleased that the Football League has reviewed its decision to activate concessions throughout the stadium as it will make the match more affordable for families to attend."