EPL Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis has "expressed his disappointment at the allocation of tickets for next month's FA Cup final against Hull City, with fans of both clubs set to be left disappointed," according to Sam Johnston of the London EVENING STANDARD. The FA revealed on Monday that Arsenal and Hull will "receive 25,000 tickets each for the final" on May 17. Arsenal had received 49,000 tickets for Saturday's semifinal victory over Wigan after "the Latics had returned some of their original allocation and Gazidis is disappointed that so many 'loyal supporters' will be unable to attend the final." Gazidis: "We fully understand this is the showpiece FA fixture to celebrate the game as a whole, but we also believe the loyal supporters of the competing teams deserve a greater chance to see their team play in what is one of the biggest matches of the season. The balance in the FA's allocation system is not right" (EVENING STANDARD, 4/14). In London, James Dutton reported the ticket distribution by the FA for the final "will see some 20,000 tickets distributed to volunteers through the 'football family,' which includes counties, leagues, local clubs and charities, the 92 Premier League and Football League clubs, another 134 full member clubs and all those clubs who reached the third-round proper." With the FA Cup final "being part of the Club Wembley membership package, some 17,000 tickets will also be allotted elsewhere" (GUARDIAN, 4/14). Also in London, Laura Williamson reported Arsenal's "official travel partner," Thomas Cook Sport, is "already selling a ticket and one night's accommodation in a budget hotel" for £799 ($1,338). Arsenal also plans to "show the match on big screens at the Emirates Stadium" (DAILY MAIL, 4/14). The PA reported the FA said that allocations for the final "have been around 25,000 per club ever since the new Wembley opened, and pointed out that ticket prices have remained the same for the last three years" (PA, 4/14).
