Steps in place to ensure safety of fans: FAS

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said it has “multiple safeguards” in place following recent reports on the resale and misuse of tickets for the Asian Cup qualifier between Hong Kong and Singapore on Nov 18.

- Melvyn Teoh

Tickets for the winners-take-all match at the Kai Tak Stadium were reportedly sold out in Hong Kong within 80 minutes on Nov 7.

Hong Kong fans who could not get tickets are feeling aggrieved after reports of scalpers purchasing home section tickets — priced between HK$80 (S$13) and HK$240 — with at least one reselling them at nearly 17 times the price online.

This prompted some Hong Kong fans to register through the FAS to secure seats in the away fans’ area at the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium, reported the South China Morning Post. It is understood that around 2,000 tickets were set aside for Lions supporters.

Saying it was “the only way to get a ticket”, these Hong Kong supporters added that they were successful in doing so through the pre-sale access meant for Singapore fans.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, an FAS spokesperson said it is aware of recent reports on the “resale and misuse of away tickets”.