News

Tonight Linfield FC have released a statement via their official website which states that they will not be selling tickets for next month's County Antrim Shield final against Crusaders at The Oval.

The Blues beat Cliftonville 4-1 last month to qualify for the final, but the announcement that the match was to be all ticket was met with great consternation and resentment from all quarters within the local game.

"The Linfield Board has tonight decided that on this occasion, the club will be unable to sell tickets for this game," read the statement.

"The Linfield Board believes that the ticketing of this game is unnecessary and unjustifiable and indeed, the PSNI representative at the meeting also accepted that there was no requirement for tickets."

Ticketing restrictions placed upon matches has soared in local football over the past few seasons, with their being a widespread belief that they only serve to hinder fans wishing to attend the games which are played out in half-empty stadiums - 'health and safety gone mad'.

"The Linfield Board feels strongly that our supporters have suffered enough with ticketing restrictions over many seasons and on this occasion, the club cannot accept the rationale provided," the statement continued.

"Supporters are advised not to arrive at Windsor Park tomorrow expecting tickets to be on sale for this game."

The statement has been received positively by the club's fans, with fans across the league disillusioned with the current draconian restrictions placed upon the local game.