LEINSTER rugby supporters and clubs alike have been warned that their semi final tickets are to be retained for true Leinster fans and not passed on to Munster supporters who are looking to emulate the semi final of 2006 where a sea of red was seen at the same stage of the competition in Dublin when the two sides last met at Lansdowne Road.
In this Friday’s Irish Independent, Donnchadh Boyle’s article said that the ultimatum was issued to the clubs following the latest Tickemaster debacle
where human error was to blame for an abundance of tickets being sold through a loop in the system to non Leinster fans.
“A communication to clubs from the Leinster branch stated that clubs could lose out on tickets for International matches should they end up in Munster hands and that clubs should ensure tickets are sold to “genuine Leinster supporters”.
The statement read: “Any red jerseys in Leinster seats will result in loss of International tickets for the club allocated that seat.”
Quite how the rule will be enforced remains to be seen, but a Leinster spokesperson defended the move saying: “It is vital that authentic Leinster supporters receive first option for the Heineken Cup semi-final.”
In other Heineken Cup news, tournament organiser ERC has begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blood substitution of Harlequins replacement (No 22) Tom Williams and the return of Harlequins outside half (No 10) Nick Evans to the playing field during the Harlequins v Leinster Heineken Cup quarter-final on Sunday, 12 April at the Twickenham Stoop.
The investigation is being carried out by ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O’Connor under the Heineken Cup 2008/09 Disciplinary Rules and will include gathering statements from match officials, the two teams involved and a review of broadcast footage from the game.
The ERC Disciplinary Officer will then determine whether any further action is necessary.
Heineken Cup champions Munster will use the “away” team dressing room at Croke Park when they meet Leinster in the all-Ireland semi-final in the 82,300 Dublin stadium on Saturday, 2 May.
Following a coin toss this Friday, Leinster, who won the toss, will occupy the dressing room used by Declan Kidney’s Ireland team for their home internationals.
