Nuremberg fisk

Comments (15)

Let me state at the top that ? despite a cynicism borne from the fatigue of having had to deal with Everton FC for the thick end of four decades ? I actually, for once, believe the club?s line that they didn?t refuse an extra allocation for Nuremberg.

Had there been an extra allocation, I?d have been among the next group of fans hoping to qualify. As it stands, it looks like I?m missing Nuremberg and I?m gutted. But, you know, I?ve got no gripe with all the Metallist-trekkers taking precedence. Is right.

Accepting the club?s line, though, I have to ask why it is that they still manage to make the waters muddier when they gamely try to clarify the situation?

The official EFC line dealing with the latest conspiracy, the so-called refusal of extra Nuremberg tickets, demands a little ?fisking? in order to demonstrate my point.

In other words, I think I need to ask why is it that, even when I?m prepared to believe the club, they actually make me even more suspicious that deep-down they?re really hiding something?

Here goes:

Starts fisk of official EFC explanation with my points in brackets:

Everton have strongly (okay, good, you?ve come out fighting, so I?m expecting total clarity) refuted claims the Club turned down the opportunity to receive an additional allocation of tickets for the Uefa Cup encounter with Nurnberg.

Everton's allocation of tickets for Matchday Two of Uefa Cup Group A, which will be played in Germany on Thursday, November 8 (yeah, yeah, we know when it is) sold out last week following incredible demand (no kiddin).

Reports have since emerged on fan sites (you mean like Toffeeweb? [More likely NSNO — Ed]) suggesting Everton were given the opportunity to receive an additional allocation of up to 2,000 tickets (glad to see that you?re talking precise numbers here, not percentages or entities) for the match but that Club officials opted to decline the extra tickets (yep, that was the general gist of the rumour).

Everton officials are mystified by the claims (strong words, so obviously with good reason, then?), particularly as the Club did everything in its power (how? do tell) to secure as many extra tickets as possible from their German hosts.

Mark Rowan, Everton's Head of Communications (so I'm expecting clarity, Mark), confirmed: "The Club met with Nurnberg following the draw for the Group stage (good, would expect no less) and were informed of the maximum allocation available to us (which was what, exactly?).

We received that allocation (which was what, exactly? why can?t you put a figure on it in the same way that you?re prepared to quote a figure up top regarding the 2,000 tickets that were allegedly rejected? start talking numbers, not entities) and despite repeated requests by the Club for extra tickets we were told there were no others available."

The allocation Everton received for the match (which was what, exactly? just why is it so difficult to quantify the exact number? hiding something? no? well tell us what the ?allocation? was, then - it really is that easy you know and it would kill all the mutterings stone dead) was similar in size to that of an away Premier League game in a similar sized stadium (so, we?re talking 3,000-ish are we? or is it more? or slightly less? in fact, why leave it to us to do the maths? why so long-winded?).

UEFA rules state visiting clubs are to receive 5% of the stadium capacity before segregation.  Everton received in the region of 6.7% for this fixture (em>so how many did we get, then? just tell us? a figure hey? not a percentage!).

Ends fisk of official EFC explanation.

See what I mean?
Greg Murphy, Liverpool     Posted 31/10/2007 at 15:58:25

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