Ticket shortage for Euro 2008 games

Just over 2,000 tickets will be available to Irish supporters travelling for the Republic of Ireland's European qualifier against…

Just over 2,000 tickets will be available to Irish supporters travelling for the Republic of Ireland's European qualifier against the Czech Republic in September.

The September 12th game will be played at the Toyota Arena in Prague, a venue with only a 20,565 capacity.

Under Uefa regulations, the away association's ticket allocation is equal to 10 per cent of the total capacity.

An FAI spokesman said tickets for the Group D Euro 2008 qualifier would not go on public sale.

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"Because of the small allocation we can only take orders from account holders and, regretfully, on this occasion we will not be able to accept ticket applications from members of the public," he said.

Thousands of Irish supporters are expected to travel regardless as the fixture, which comes at a crucial stage of the qualification race, is the second game of an attractive away double-header.

The Republic of Ireland play Slovakia in Bratislava four days before the Czech game. The Slovakian Federation has yet to confirm the match venue and therefore the FAI's ticket allocation is unknown.

However, Slovakia's three home games to date - against Cyprus, Czech Republic and Germany - have all been played at the Tehelne Pole, a stadium with a 30,000 capacity. The FAI, therefore, should receive some 3,000 tickets for travelling fans.

Meanwhile, Robbie Keane has signed a new five-year contract with Tottenham, which commits him to the club until 2012. The Republic of Ireland striker scored 22 goals last season, bringing his total in a Spurs shirt to 84 since joining from Leeds in August 2002.

Keane (26) made his 200th appearance for Spurs in the final game of the season against Manchester City at White Hart Lane.

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has undergone emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer, British media reported yesterday.

Gascoigne's agent, Jane Morgan, said in a statement on the BBC that he was admitted to hospital on Sunday with severe stomach pains.

"He underwent emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer and will remain in hospital for a few days," the statement said.

Gascoigne played 57 times for England but has had a troubled life since his football career went into decline in the late 1990s.

Fifa have warned Los Angeles Galaxy they will not be able to prevent David Beckham playing in England friendlies. Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas only wants to release the midfielder for competitive internationals, but Fifa insist the club will have no choice if Beckham continues to be picked by England manager Steve McClaren.

A Fifa spokesman said: "Players must be released for friendly or competitive games if they are on the international calendar and the required notice is given."

Peter Crouch has been reassured about his Liverpool future by manager Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard has stressed the need for the beaten Champions League finalists to spend big and spend quick this summer.

But England striker Crouch said: "He's (Benitez) told me I'm part of his plans and that's good enough for me."

Liverpool have agreed a deal with MTK Budapest for Krisztian Nemeth (18) and Andras Simon (17), two forwards who played for Hungary at last year's Uefa Under-17 Championship.

Patrik Berger (33) has agreed a new one-year deal with Aston Villa and, according to the club, will sign it when the players return for pre-season training.

The former Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin, who won the French Cup with Sochaux last season - their first since 1937 - is to replace Gerard Houllier, who quit after winning two titles in two years at Lyon.