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MP Andy Burnham has intervened in the Everton-Arsenal FA Cup draw ticketing row.

Merseyside-born Mr Burnham has written to FA chairman Greg Dyke demanding urgent action to ensure that the city club is given a fair number of seats in accordance with the Association's rules.

In the letter to Mr Dyke, obtained by the ECHO, Mr Burnham urges on the FA to "stand up for Everton" in the face of Arsenal's decision to dramatically reduce the allocation for the quarter final tie.

The Blues have been given just 5,186 tickets for the upcoming sixth round draw, despite the Emirates stadium holding around 60,000 people.

FA Cup rules state that up to 15% of available seats should go to the away team.

But Arsenal’s Safety Advisory Group, which is made up of representatives from the club, local authority, police and transport that the number has been reduced from 9,000 due to fears over safety issues from persistent standing and the use of smoke bombs/pyrotechnics in the upper tiers of the Emirates stadium.

Everton have already spoke to the FA and Arsenal demanding to know why the full 15% allocation could not be secured.

Blues fan Mr Burnham, who has also been a key supporter of the Hillsborough campaign, wrote: "The views of the Ground Safety Advisory Group are important and should not be ignored, but I fail to see how a club with years of experience handling big fixtures, in a purpose built stadium, cannot devise a solution to meet the ticketing rules.

"It is also worth saying that any Safety Advisory Group will be more influenced by the views of one club.

"In situations like this surely there is a role for the FA to broker a more independent view, fair to both sets of supporters?

"Everton supporters travel all over the country in large numbers and at great expense. Over the years, our club has helped build the FA Cup into what it is today.

"I believe the FA owes it to Everton to uphold the rights of our supporters, as set out by the FA, to be part of this important occasion.

"I therefore call on the FA to take urgent action to ensure a full and fair allocation for visiting Everton supporters and, in doing so, uphold the traditions and spirit of its own competition."

Andy Burnham's letter to FA chief Greg Dyke

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