Leicester ticket numbers cut for Norwich football match

Leicester City FC's manager says he is "very disappointed" at a decision to reduce away fans' ticket allocations at Norwich due to "high-risk" supporters.

The Foxes are due to play Norwich City in the FA Cup on 18 February at Carrow Road but just 2,400 tickets for Leicester will be released.

Manager Nigel Pearson said it was a "very frustrating" situation.

The Norwich Safety Advisory Group said "high risk" fans meant ticket allocations would be restricted.

'Wasn't a problem'

The group - which is made up of representatives from a number of organisations including Norfolk Constabulary, the East of England Ambulance Service and Norwich City FC - said it had taken advice from the police.

In a statement, the 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 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% of away fans present."

Mr Pearson said he was unsure as to why the ticket numbers had been reduced.

"This is very disappointing for our fans," he said. "We recently took about 8,000 to Forest for a local derby and there wasn't a problem with that.

"On the management and players' side, we recognise that our following is very, very loyal and on the road we get fantastic support and that can potentially make a difference."

Decision 'nonsensical'

In February 2008, a large-scale fight broke out at a Leicester home game against Norwich and 13 people were arrested.

The following weekend, 11 people were arrested after up to 100 fans took part in a brawl after a Foxes' away game at Coventry.

Ian Bason, from the Foxes Trust, said the decision was "nonsensical".

"We've got an exemplary record," he said. "There was one incident in Leicester city centre in 2008 so whether they have taken that into account, I don't know.

"They look at a few idiots and deprive 1,600 city fans of going to the game."

Norwich City FC declined to comment.