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Spygate 'ruins mood' as fans grab play-off tickets

Grace McGrory,at the MKM Stadium, Hulland
Richard Madden,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
BBC A long queue of people outside a sports stadium. They are waiting near a sign which reads “Match Day Ticket Collection Point". They are standing on a paved walkway next to a tarmac road under an overcast sky.BBC
Hundreds of fans queued at the MKM Stadium in Hull to buy tickets for the Championship play-off final

Tickets for Hull City's Championship play-off final against Southampton have gone on sale, but fans say the row over the spygate scandal has "ruined the mood".

The Tigers are set to be cheered on at Wembley by 35,984 supporters on Saturday, 23 May, with hopes of reaching the Premier League.

But the sale has surrounded by uncertainty after the English Football League (EFL) said the match could be delayed depending on the outcome of a Southampton disciplinary hearing.

One fan who had queued for tickets at the MKM Stadium in Hull said: "Spygate has ruined the feeling here. Hull City have done nothing wrong but it's still caused a lot of anger and worry."

A man with grey stubble, a bald head and glasses smiles into the camera. He is wearing a black jacket with a grey hood and is standing in front of a grey brick wall.
Stephen Holmes queued to buy Wembley tickets for his grandsons

Southampton were charged by the EFL for watching one of Middlesbrough's training sessions within the 72-hour period before the semi-final first leg between the sides at the Riverside.

The hearing, conducted by an independent disciplinary committee, will take place on or before Tuesday.

Stephen Holmes, a Hull City fan who went to buy tickets for his grandsons, remained hopeful the match at Wembley would go ahead as scheduled.

"There's too much money involved for the game to be cancelled. It's not really fair and Hull City are suffering for someone else's mistakes," he said.

A man with short, grey hair and sunglasses smiles. He is wearing a black and amber Hull City jacket and is standing outside a football stadium.
Rob Fletcher said the Spygate scandal had turned the play-off final into "a farce"

The Spygate situation was the hot topic for Tigers fans as they braved chilly conditions to queue around the MKM Stadium.

One said: "We've already paid train fares [and] people have booked hotels. If it doesn't go ahead then it's the fans that will be punished and Hull City have done nothing wrong."

Another added: "It has spoiled the occasion. You don't get to Wembley that often and now we've got a load uncertainty."

Others said they were concerned the game could be moved to another date and about the impact that would have.

Rob Fletcher, 66, said: "What about families, people who have work commitments? It's a complete farce and should have been sorted. I'm worried the game might not happen.

"If they move it to midweek, what about the kids who go to school? Should they miss out on Wembley? It's not fair."

A man and a woman smile into the camera. They are standing outside a football stadium.
Anne and Stephen Abblett are looking forward to cheering on the Tigers at Wembley

Despite the controversy, many fans who bought tickets in the first stage of the sale remained upbeat about their trip to the capital and the prospect of promotion.

Stephen Abblett, who was with his wife Anne, said: "We're so excited because it's been a long time since we've been to Wembley. Hopefully we'll get back to the Premier League.

"Being in the queue is brilliant. The crowd is lovely - it's like we're one big family all together."

Jamie Atkinson, 34, was equally excited: "I can't wait for Wembley. This season has been massive, we've had transfer embargoes and problems, but to reach the final is amazing."

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