Welsh football fans have been warned not to invade the pitch if Wales qualify for their first World Cup in 64 years this Sunday, amid pleas for supporters without tickets to avoid travelling to Cardiff.
Rob Page's men will face Ukraine in a sold-out World Cup play-off final on Sunday, June 5, at Cardiff City Stadium (5pm kick-off), where both sides will be vying to reach the finals in Qatar later this year.
With no fan zones being staged due to Jubilee celebrations and concerts in the Welsh capital, the Football Association of Wales has moved to publish advice asking fans not to travel to Cardiff if they are without a ticket due to other events going on.
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"There is no public screening or fan zone showing the match within the city centre and fans without tickets are advised to avoid travelling due to several other events taking place on Sunday, 5 June," an FAW statement said.
They also stress that no tickets for the sold-out clash will be available to buy at Cardiff City Stadium, requesting non-ticketholders avoid travelling to the ground. "Access to the stadium will be restricted to ticket holders only," the statement added. "Supporters without tickets are requested to avoid the areas in and around stadium."
Should Wales go on to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1958, it is impossible to quantify just how much such an achievement would mean to the Red Wall. However, fans are being urged to avoid a pitch invasion. Several pitch invasions at the end of the domestic season resulted in ugly incidents, with players hurt and Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira involved in an altercation with a supporter.
"All spectators are politely requested to keep off the pitch," FAW bosses have asked. "Anyone entering the field of play will be subject to criminal proceedings. It is also vitally important that the condition of the playing surface is protected for the two UEFA Nations League matches being played at Cardiff City Stadium [on June 8 and 11]."
Wales continue their Nations League campaign just days after the World Cup play-off final, hosting the Netherlands on Wednesday, June 8, and Belgium on Saturday, June 11. Their June international schedule then ends away to Netherlands on Tuesday, June 14.
As for Wales v Ukraine, fans are being advised to get to the stadium early to allow time to get through enhanced security checks. Gates open and concourse entertainment begins at 3pm before a 5pm kick-off.
Supporters are reminded that anyone found to be in possession of a pyrotechnic device at a football match faces an FAW ban, probable arrest and a minimum three-year football banning order.
