Uefa turn down Rovers request

Soccer:Shamrock Rovers have been denied permission to install temporary seating for their Europa League qualifier against Juventus on Thursday.

The League of Ireland club were hoping for special dispensation from Uefa to increase the capacity of Tallaght Stadium to 9,000 by erecting an extra 3,000 seats ahead of the first leg.

However, the request was turned down this afternoon.

“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of Shamrock Rovers FC, the FAI and South Dublin County Council, the club did not receive derogation from Uefa to install temporary seating at Tallaght Stadium for this Thursday's match against Juventus,” a statement on the club’s website read.

“This means that it is highly unlikely that there will be any general sale of match tickets as the 6,000 capacity is being allocated to club season ticket holders and members first.”

While the news will be a disappointed for fans, the net result for Rovers is a loss of around €15,000. The club estimated it would cost €20 install one seat and tickets would have been on sale for €25.

Considering the game in question and the revenue already being generated from it, such a loss is easier to take than it would be on any other week.

Juventus are expected to have approximately 250 fans at the match on Thursday, a little short of their five per cent allocation of 300.

For the return leg in Modena a week later, Rovers expect to bring at least 600 fans, though they would be entitled to around 950 tickets for the 19,000 capacity venue.