Welsh FA sorry for Wales v England ticket blunder

The Millennium Stadium is set to be a 69,000 sell-out for Wales v England

The Football Association of Wales has apologised for its blunder that resulted in fans being sold 1,500 tickets that did not exist.

The FAW had stated that the Wales-England Euro 2012 qualifier on 26 March in Cardiff was a sell-out before the administrative error took place.

England fans have been asked to return 951 tickets while Welsh supporters must give back 549.

"It is with regret the FAW has had to reduce the allocation," the FAW said.

The recall of tickets has prompted some fans to try to claim compensation from the FAW.

Its chief executive Jonathan Ford added: "The reason for this reduction is that the total tickets that the Football Association of Wales understood could be made available for sale was incorrect.

"On behalf of the Football Association of Wales, I would like to apologise unreservedly for the disappointment this will cause."

The tickets were part of an additional allocation of 1,500 for the Millennium Stadium showdown issued last month which sold out within four hours.

It has now been discovered that the majority of these tickets were only released because of an administrative error and should not have been sold at all.

Despite efforts to resolve the situation, the English Football Association has written to the supporters concerned, confirming that refunds will be made, both for the tickets and any delivery charge incurred.

The FA pledged that the original 7,500 tickets that were sold through the "englandfans loyalty scheme" will be honoured.

"The FA shares the disappointment fans will feel at being let down for this crucial match," commented the FA in its lengthy letter to fans, outlining the seriousness of the problem.

The 2012 European Championship Group G qualifier is set to be Wales' first Millennium Stadium sell-out for five-and-a-half years.

The FAW confirmed last week that it had sold all 69,000 tickets for the first home game for new boss Gary Speed.

Wales are bottom of their Euro 2012 qualifying group after three defeats in three games while unbeaten England are second on seven points, three points behind group leaders Montenegro with a game in hand.