Calls for Wales football games ticket policy review

Gareth Bale receives congratulations from fans after scoring both goals in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is being urged to examine its ticketing policy after it emerged Scottish fans bought tickets in the home end for last Friday's World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.

Conservative AM Andrew RT Davies said it was clear the policy had failed and fans at times feared for their safety.

Wales won the match 2- 1 with Gareth Bale scoring both goals.

In response, the FAW said it did not sell tickets to Scottish fans.

Friday's game at the Cardiff City Stadium saw the first win for Wales since Chris Coleman succeeded Gary Speed as manager.

Mr Davies, the Conservative leader in the Welsh assembly, called it a "good evening for Welsh football on the pitch" but confirmed he had written to the FAW asking for a full review of ticketing policy for future home matches.

The South Wales Central AM said: "It is clear that the game's organising body in Wales need to review safeguards preventing away fans from infiltrating home areas.

"I have received calls from constituents who were stunned to see Scotland fans in such huge numbers, particularly in the Canton Stand and who at times feared for their safety - particularly at key moments in what was a close and tense match."

He added: "This issue was flagged up in September when it became clear that Scottish fans were openly targeting tickets within the home areas, and it was claimed then that steps had been taken to prevent them from being able to do so.

"It's clear that these steps failed and quite profoundly. It can't have been difficult to tell the hordes of fans wearing blue apart from their Welsh counterparts and it is quite remarkable that the raucous celebrations that followed each of the goals did not result in serious problems."

Policing

An FAW spokesman said it had received no complaints from fans about safety at last Friday's game.

"After every match we have a debriefing and we talk about ticketing, policing and other matters and we see if we can improve things. This game will be no exception," he said.

"We did not sell any tickets to the Scottish fans. They must have got them through other means."

The spokesman added that it was difficult to police if Welsh fans bought tickets and then sold them on.