Fans demand compensation for Wales ticket fiasco

England are due to visit the Millennium stadium later this month

Football Supporters' Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke has called for compensation to be paid after an astonishing blunder from the Welsh FA left 951 England fans without tickets for the Euro 2012 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium.

The FAW have apologised for the administrative error that meant tickets that did not actually exist were released to the FA for the game.

Full refunds will be offered but, according to Clarke, that is not good enough.

"I think they should have some additional form of compensation for this mistake because it's very annoying to be told you've been successful in getting a ticket and then have that taken away from you," said Clarke.

"This will be a very, very high-demand game for obvious reasons.

"Somebody has got to do more than just refund everything."

The FAW have also admitted the problem is not exclusive to England fans and a number of Welsh supporters will be in exactly the same position.

They have been left in the uncomfortable position of only being able to confirm the original 7,500 tickets that were sold through the 'Englandfans loyalty scheme' will be honoured and with the additional 549 that have remained, the overall number is above the 10% quota laid down by UEFA as a minimum requirement.

It hardly points towards a smooth administrative process on Wales' part and has left the FA fuming as they will be the ones having to deal with supporter frustration at a totally needless error.

"The FA shares the disappointment fans will feel at being let down for this crucial match," said the FA in their lengthy letter to fans, outlining the seriousness of the problem.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford could only hold his hands up at the embarrassing mistake.

He said: "It is with regret that I must confirm that the Football Association of Wales has had to reduce the allocation of tickets for the Wales v England match on Saturday March 26.

"The reason for this reduction is that the total tickets that the Football Association of Wales understood could be made available for sale was incorrect.

"On behalf of the Football Association of Wales, I would like to apologise unreservedly for the disappointment this will cause."