Why does Scotland have so few tickets for wheelchair users at the World Cup?

Stephen Reside, SFU Lead on Disability, and a rather well-known footballer!

The Scottish Football Union understands that the number of tickets allocated for wheelchair users at Scotland’s matches in the World Cup is, in our view, pitifully small. We understand Scotland has been allocated 12 tickets within the wheelchair-user category for each group-stage match. If companion tickets are taken from that same allocation, this could mean as few as six wheelchair users can attend per match. In addition, unlike in Scotland and elsewhere, where the support person goes free, in the USA both will have to pay for a ticket.

It seems that the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami where Scotland will be playing Brazil has 300 wheelchair accessible spaces. As we understand it, perhaps only 2% of these spaces are being made available to Scottish wheelchair fans. To put this in context, Hampden Park has just under 200 wheelchair spaces available. In other words, only a tiny percentage of wheelchair users who attend Scotland home matches and are Scotland Supporters Club members have a chance of a ticket. We ask the football authorities to take this up with FIFA and try to find a way to allow more of our disabled fans to travel to the World Cup to support our nation. 

The SFU’s Lead on Disability, Stephen Reside said,

“As a wheelchair user who has followed my club side and the national side all over Europe, I know that it’s not always easy to get access to every match, especially the big matches where there is huge demand. At the Euros, it was possible for most people with similar disabilities/requirements to me easily to get to Germany and enjoy the matches, either in the stadium or at a fan-zone. In both cases, the facilities were excellent and reasonably priced. I have already bought flights to the USA, and I knew that tickets would be expensive, but I never dreamed that getting a brief and a place in the disabled section would be so difficult. Something really must be done to make it fair for those in our community who, through no fault of their own, are not able to travel and spectate in the same way as able-bodied fans.”

The SFU’s CEO, Stuart Murphy said,

“Stephen is the much-respected lead member of our disability team. Knowing him personally, he’ll regard this not so much as a problem for him individually, but one that is causing immense problems for all wheelchair users, and indeed all Tartan Army members who want to provide physical and mental support their disabled friends and relatives at the World Cup.  These disabled fans are amongst some of the most committed Scotland fans around. We have written to both the SFA to ask for their help and have also written directly to FIFA. We know that it is not always easy to change FIFA’s mind about such issues, but for the sake of our disabled fans we believe that on this occasion the governing body should see sense and create a fairer allocation of tickets for those in wheelchairs and also for ambulant disabled supporters.”  

UPDATE: 17.30, Thursday 15th December, from SFU CEO Stuart Murphy:

I've spoken directly to the SFA CEO today and they are actively lobbying FIFA to improve the situation. Western European legislation re Disability and Accessibility seems far more advanced than our US counterparts. Stephen Reside (our Disability Lead) will be on Radio Scotland just after 7am tomorrow (Friday 16th) and interviewed by Chris McLaughlin on the BBC at home later. The SFA Comms team has also visited Stephen today so well done, credit where it's due, the football authorities are trying to help.

Andy Smith, Chair, The SFU