SPFL cut Aberdeen ticket allocation for semi-final clash with Rangers

Aberdeen's ticket allocation for the Betfred Cup semi-final has been slashed to just 15,000.

The Dons had fought to receive 20,300 briefs for the clash with Rangers after the kick-off time was moved from 12noon to 4.30pm.

This followed complaints from both Aberdeen and Hearts over the original plan to host both games at Hampden on the same day, with the first train into Glasgow from the north east not arriving until 15 minutes after the game would have started.

Aberdeen and Rangers will meet in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. Picture: SNS

However, with just over 9,000 ticket sold, and fewer than 100 on Thursday prior to the announcement, the decision was taken by the league to take back sections of the East Stand.

Rangers have since confirmed that they will receive additional tickets to be sold to their supporters.

Aberdeen announced the update with a statement on their website, where they admitted that some fans who have already bought tickets will have to be relocated.

It read: “With just over a week to go until our Betfred Cup Semi-Final against Rangers at Hampden Park just over 9,000 tickets have been sold to The Red Army. Despite strong initial sales, particularly from our supporters’ clubs, overall ticket sales for the match have fallen short of the demand expected.

“Given current sales figures, with the SPFL recording less than 100 being sold by Aberdeen FC today, the SPFL have now taken back certain sections of the East Stand. In return, the SPFL will issue the club with an additional allocation of seats in the South Stand Upper and Lower tickets. This will necessitate the relocation of some supporters to alternative seats and the club will be in touch with any affected fans to finalise arrangements.

“With 5,500 tickets still available for our supporters, and access to a further allocation if we demonstrate additional demand in the next few days, the focus now quickly turns to building on the tickets that have been sold to fulfil the remainder of our allocation and ensure that the team walk out to a wall of noise from Dons supporters in attendance.

“We must now ALL PLAY OUR PART in building upon this current sales figure to ensure we have fantastic backing at Hampden next Sunday.

“There is still time for you to the make the difference.”

Manager Derek McInnes added: “All I’m hoping for is that we can sell as many as we can.

“There is still a long way to go. Obviously it is an Aberdeen holiday at the minute and supporters still have an opportunity to get their tickets and come along.

“Once the allocation was made then maybe people thought they had plenty of time to get them and we are hoping that is the case.

“There is no doubt that we would like as many supporters there as possible.

“I don’t get involved in what sections are being sold or whatever. I am just hoping there is a strong Aberdeen support there.

“From my point of view it can help the team. We want as many there getting behind the team as possible and I’m sure the players would be exactly the same, but once the game comes round it is all about the game.

“There seems to be more talk about this game than any other game I can remember, about tickets, kick-off times and logistics.

“Once the game comes round it is a big game for the club and hopefully we can be talking about the football performance rather than anything else.”