Matildas fans spark England backlash over World Cup ticket controversy
Savvy Australian supporters have caused anger amongst travelling England fans.
England fans have been left frustrated ahead of the semi-final showdown against the Matildas after Australian fans were able to purchase limited away tickets using a code shared online. England has been granted around 2,000 tickets in an away section for Wednesday's clash against host nation Australia after the Matildas defeated France in the quarter-final.
However, the UK Telegraph is reporting Australian fans got hold of a ticket code, meant for English fans, and shared it online. This prompted desperate Australian fans to snap up some tickets in a bid to watch the Matildas create further history against the Lionesses.
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The code was released on the England Football website and Australian fans wasted no time. One fan noted on social media that releasing the code online had caused havoc.
And the Football Association released a statement to the publication and claimed it was 'disappointed' in the outcome. “We worked with FIFA to secure an additional allocation of tickets for England’s World Cup Semi-Final against Australia," it read.
“The details of how to purchase these tickets were communicated directly to our fans on our England Football channel, and we are disappointed to see reports that a limited number of these tickets have been accessed by other fans.
“We are working with FIFA to review this ticketing process going forward.”
Congratulations to the English Football Supporters website in allowing Australian fans to buy tickets by publicly releasing the purchase code.
FIFA needs to correct the problem by refusing Australian fans to the England stand. https://t.co/KA5o5IJAzj— Jon Kelly 🦊🇺🇦 (@Capt_Kremin) August 14, 2023
Matildas shatter TV records in Australia
Australia has been gripped with the Matildas with the national team reaching its first World Cup semi-final. And to prove just how the Matildas have united the nation, an average of 4.17 million tuned in to the quarter-final, with the Seven Network also enjoying a record 472,000 viewers streaming the game on their digital platform 7Plus.
A peak audience of 7.2 million tuned in as the Matildas advanced after a 7-6 penalty shootout victory. The win set-up a clash with old enemies England. Howevver, Aussie goalkeeper Lydia Williams said the Matildas are not letting the outside noise distract them from their task.
"Obviously you see it in the men's competitions, especially in cricket and rugby," goalkeeper Lydia Williams told reporters. "But for us, we've had so many rivalries with other countries that we've played against. We've played against Brazil at every other World Cup.
"So you could say that (about Brazil), you could say that about America, you could say that about so many countries. So really, for us it's just another game.
"All the like extra stuff of rivalries, it doesn't really come about. If anything, it's to prove a point that we can make the final and represent Australia that way."
When do the Matildas play England in World Cup semi-final?
The Matildas - having made history by winning through to a World Cup semi-final for the first time ever - now turn their attention to trying to topple European champions, England. The Aussies will battle their old enemy on Wednesday night at 8pm in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney for a place in the final.
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