5,000 vaccinated fans allowed to watch Reggae Boyz match
Local football fans will get the chance to support the Reggae Boyz at the National Stadium when they face the USA in their 16 November CONCACAF World Cup qualifier.
Earlier, the Government of Jamaica denied Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) proposal to host fans in the National Stadium during their World Cup qualifying campaign. Following an emergency meeting between the Ministry of Local Government and the JFF, a decision was made to allow 5,000 fully vaccinated fans in the National Stadium.
Fans wishing to purchase tickets for the game can make their purchase through an online ticket system called Events Authorisation System, activated on Wednesday 3 November. Only persons 18 years and older who have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before matchday will be approved to make a purchase.
After registering using the Events Authorisation System, fans are asked to upload a copy of their vaccination card and proof of identification, after which they must wait 48 hours for approval before they can purchase a ticket for the game.
President of the JFF, Michael Ricketts, said that if there are ongoing online hiccups purchasing tickets, physical locations will be proposed to assist patrons encountering technical glitches. However, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie reiterated that there would be no issuing of paper tickets.
“We are not going to alter whatever position as it relates to registering online. So, what the JFF is doing is not secondary to the process. It’s to offer advice and to assist persons who have challenges in accessing or understanding the application process. We want to make that clear that there are no ticket outlets,” Minister McKenzie said.
During the press conference, Ricketts said that of the 5,000 tickets available, 4,000 will be sold to bleachers at $2,000, while the remaining 1,000 tickets will be sold to grandstanders at the cost of $7,700.
Even though the National Stadium has a maximum capacity of 35,000, approving only 5,000 fans to attend the game is a part of the national effort to control the spread of the coronavirus.
The Reggae Boyz have played only two home matches since the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Both games were without fans, losing 3-0 to Panama before a 0-0 stalemate with Canada.
With fans inside the stadium for the remainder of their home games campaign, local pundits are having high hopes that this will boost the Reggae Boyz. The Reggae Boyz are currently sitting in sixth place, which means that to capture one of the three automatic qualifying spots available, they must win all of their upcoming fixtures.
