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Are Argentina worth the money?

International Scotland
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The question is simple, says Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association.

Are Scotland fans prepared to pay more to see their team play against the world's best?

To pose the question before concluding the deal is an astute move by the SFA.

It effectively puts the association's decision makers in a no-lose situation.

If the public response to the question is negative, then Gordon Smith and his fellow board members can say they've done their part in trying to attract quality opposition to Hampden.

If, as I suspect will be the case, the Tartan Army say they want to see Argentina in Glasgow in mid-November, then they can have little room for complaint when the official ticket prices are announced.

I don't imagine too many people will entirely welcome the prospect of paying up to £45 for a match ticket, but there will be a sufficient number who'll bite the bullet, no matter the total cost.

The Tartan Army aren't quite blindly loyal, as they showed in the darkest days of Berti Vogts' reign.

But unless George Burley's team get off to the most dreadful of starts in their World Cup qualification campaign, then Hampden will be full on the evening of 19 November, on what is almost certain to be a dreich, freezing Wednesday in Glasgow.

The SFA has been criticised in the past for its ticketing policies, but Gordon Smith pointed to the prices charged by the Republic of Ireland when they played Brazil recently - 75 euros was the minimum according to Smith - in defence of the plans to bump up prices to pay for the privilege of playing Argentina.

He also underlined the clause in any contract being drawn up that would stipulate that Argentina had to field their strongest possible team, including stars like Leo Messi and Carlos Tevez, in order to guarantee the paying punters the best possible value for money.

Whether a full-strength Scotland team would turn up is a different matter. When was the last time the Scots fielded their strongest XI in a friendly international?

It seems the feedback the SFA has received so far from fans has been pretty positive and Smith says the overall reaction will be the deal-breaker or deal-maker.

That being the case, my money would be on the game going ahead.

Let us know your views. Are you prepared to pay £45 to see Messi et al in action.

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comment by H4RDC0R3-RFC (U12613844)

posted Jul 9, 2008

I think it's a good idea but it is a lot of money.

I have a few suggestions for the SFA to make it more appealing to fans - does anyone know how Smith is planning on getting feedback from us?

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comment by AndrewFR (U10221193)

posted Jul 9, 2008

My feeling is that it doesn’t matter what the quality of the opposition is, I’m not prepared to shell-out a lot of money for a friendly. If the price is upwards of £30 then I just won’t go.


What the SFA should be asking is this: does George Burley feel this would be a good work-out for the team bearing in mind that the whole idea is to qualify for the World Cup. If George does feel it’s a worthwhile exercise then does it really matter if the game doesn’t turn a profit? If George wants a friendly in November, I’m sure there are many other nations out there who could provide the squad with the type of challenge they require who would cost less that Argentina. If you want to play South American opposition ask Uruguay, Paraguay or one of the others. They would still be a very stiff test for the team.

It’s about preparation, not money.

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comment by AndrewFR (U10221193)

posted Jul 9, 2008

IvanGolacIsMagic

there's an e-mail address for comments -info@scottishfa.co.uk - i commented in negative terms and they replied almost immediately which makes a change.

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comment by AndrewFR (U10221193)

posted Jul 9, 2008

tell the SFA what you think at

info@scottishfa.co.uk

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comment by therrawbuzzin (U2966083)

posted Jul 9, 2008

I just have done.
Would anyone disagree that my questions are reasonable?

This was my message:

"Re: the Argentina "consultation".

Just how does the propose to guarantee TO THE FANS that Argentina would be at full strength for the proposed friendly, when you couldn't turn out anything like a full strength side against Croatia?

What guarantees can the Argentinian FA give that clubs will release players, that players will want to turn out, that there won't be a string of "injuries" that week?

Should the Argentinian side fail to live up to expectations, does the SFA propose to fully/partially refund ticket money to those duped?"

-----------------------------------

Should I receive a worthwhile reply, you'll be the first to know.

Won't be holding my breath.

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comment by IvanGolacIsMagic - the time for revolution is now (U2634322)

posted Jul 9, 2008

Cheers AndrewFR. Will get in touch to give them my views later. Just need to figure out exactly what my views are!

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comment by Bo-ness_Buddie (U2039711)

posted Jul 10, 2008

Why Pay good money to watch a Scotland second string. Remember this is a frendly and there will be the usual call-offs amoungst the firm players

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comment by AliGrigor (U9111540)

posted Jul 12, 2008

I think it's quite good that Scotland can play Argentina.

But I Fear that if Scotland get a heavy defeate, that that will crush Scotlands hopes for the world cup.

Like it did to Holland in the Euro.

love you Scotland
Don't want you to do bad.

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comment by therrawbuzzin (U2966083)

posted Jul 24, 2008

Smith retreats, tail between legs, as usual.

Does he not have any advice before publicising his wheezes?

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