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FA cancels England ticket sales as Tube strike threatens game
Peter Dominiczak04.06.09
Up to 20,000 fans could miss England's World Cup qualifier at Wembley next week because of a planned Tube strike.
The Football Association said it had been forced to suspend the sale of tickets for England's match against Andorra because of possible disruption.
The RMT union has threatened a 48-hour walkout starting on 9 June which will halt most Tube services.
If the tickets are not sold, the FA said it could lose more than £500,000 in revenue. A spokesman for the FA said: "Following the early indication from Transport for London of strike action on London Underground between 9 and 11 June, a decision has been taken to have a prudent suspension of ticket sales for England versus Andorra at Wembley Stadium on 10 June.
"We will be monitoring the situation closely and are hopeful tickets will be made available to purchase again for this match once a decision is reached regarding the Tube strike by the RMT and London Underground." The strike could cause chaos for those fans who do get tickets for the match.
The rebuilt national stadium has been criticised for its transport links, which regularly see delays of up to an hour for supporters leaving the area after games - even when the Underground is running normally.
A TfL spokesman said: "The strike action planned on London Underground next week by the RMT is completely unnecessary. It is based on a wildly unrealistic demand for a five per cent pay rise for fewer working hours in the middle of a recession. Any decision on next week's game at Wembley is a decision for the FA and we are keeping them fully informed."
The RMT said it was aware of the disruption any strike could have on the game, but said the walkout was still due to go ahead. The union has accused TfL of "rank hypocrisy" for paying 100 managers more than £100,000 a year in wages and bonuses while trying to hold down Tube workers' pay and cut jobs.
It also accused London Underground of refusing to abide by an agreement which ensured job security. A five-year pay offer by LU has also been described as "unacceptable" by the union.
It has been announced that TfL senior managers will see their salaries frozen this year. TfL's annual report showed that five managers earn more than £250,000 plus bonuses, the RMT said.
Other events which could be disrupted include a Twenty 20 cricket match at Lord's and a Britney Spears concert at the O2 arena.
Reader views (9)
There are enough people out there that don't have jobs at all, and would be happy to work for what the tube drivers are on now... sack anyone going on strike and replace them with someone who could probably do a better job anyway, and for less... save millions!
- Tony, Stratford-upon-Avon
re:john entwistle hertford
don't let the clowns win go to kings cross,walk up the road 5 mins to euston and get overground train to wembley central.
- Russ, hitchin
Is there a rule that ensures those on strike actually turn up to the picket lines to make their point. If not, I think it would be a good move as I suspect Bob Crowe and his cronies will be on their way to the wembley match themselves, if not sitting in a pub wathching it. Perhaps we could ban all RMT union mebers from accessing the game?
- Ag, London Village
Take away their right to strike. The tube is an essential service. If the union wants to make a point they should open the barriers and refuse to collect fares.
- Kerpal, London
Bob Crow you should be ashamed of yourself call yourself an englishman looking after your work force
Rubbish just look how many voted for a strike you will be out soon like the rest of the labour hard right
- Terry Chambers, London
My 7 year old son is overjoyed with this news as you can imagine. He didnt want to go to Wembley very much anyway, he certainly hasnt been looking forward to it for weeks and talking about it everyday. He is totally able to understand the RMT's selfless act and when he grows up he wants to crush childrens dreams just like that nice Mr Crow. Well done chaps, the public are right behind you.
- John Entwistle, Hertford
Disgusting that the RMT continuously hold London to ransom at every opportunity they get. Its about time that a stand was taken against them. Give them an inch, they take a mile.
- Jk, London
That's hilarious, why do I think Mr Crowe organised it when England are playing football? Cancel the match, I guarantee the strike will be rescheduled too.
- Bob, Cheam
Bob Crow is a Millwall supporter so he clearly has no sympathy with 'real football fans'. The National Stadium should have been built in the Midlands where normal football fans from 'all over England' could have accessed it more easily. It would also have been considerably cheaper and probaby better used !!
- Nick Holland, glasgow
