Wales' supporters band has voiced their disgust at the FAI's decision to ban them from bringing any instruments into the Aviva Stadium for Wales' World Cup qualifier with Ireland in a fortnight.
The Barry Horns, who according to Wales Online have garnered quite the following in their homeland, provided the musical backdrop to Wales' phenomenal Euros run in France last summer, but won't be able to bash out similar tunes in Dublin on March 24th.
Initially, the band were told they could bring only one solitary instrument with them into the stadium, despite
the band having 13 members. Now, however, they have been told by the FAI that they're not permitted to bring any instruments with them into the ground due to "security concerns."
In fairness, it's difficult not to envisage Big Jon Walters being struck by a flying trombone if he scores into the away end at Landsdowne Road.
Barry Horns trumpet player, Fez, told Wales Online:
It’s all gamesmanship – they are trying to do any tiny thing to tilt it in their favour.
For them to do this now makes a mockery of the Celtic goodwill you would expect. They are trying to ruin the Welsh atmosphere – and 3,500 tickets [in the 50,000-capacity stadium] is a joke.
The notion that the FAI are playing mindgames with a 13-man band from Wales may well be born of outrage over Wales' ticket allocation, as alluded to by Fez above.
Wales' 3,500 tickets amount to less than 7% of the Aviva capcity. While 5% may be the UEFA specified minimum, it's generally understood that home nations grant travelling fans 10% of tickets as part of a gentleman's agreement.
Celtic goodwill, however, apparently doesn't stretch to brass instruments. Wales online report that 'many have labelled the FAI “a disgrace” over the latest move'.
The Barry Horns were allowed to bring a full compliment of instruments into both Hampden Park and Wembley for recent fixtures with Scotland and England respectively.
