Barry Robson disappointed by Aberdeen FC Viaplay Cup Final ticket snub as boss backs club stance over Rangers row

Barry Robson has expressed his disappointment over the fact that Aberdeen have been denied a 50/50 ticket split for the Viaplay Cup final.

The Dons had asked Scottish Professional Football League chiefs for an equal split for next month’s Hampden showcase with Rangers. That plea fell on deaf ears when the Light Blues were handed 25,000 tickets and Aberdeen will get around 19,000 tickets for the game on the 17th of December.

Robson, speaking ahead of their Europa Conference League clash away to PAOK, said: “The club were right to get as many tickets as they could and rightly so. We want to have as many fans as possible there so it is difficult that they’ve not split the gate. But, for me, we’re concentrating on the game tomorrow and hopefully we will fill our allocation when it comes around because the fans are outstanding. We are just focused on the game though.”

Aberdeen issued a robust statement after the ticketing details were announced by the league. The Dons had said that SPFL chiefs had claimed there were major operational challenges over splitting the gate.

The Aberdeen statement read: ‘The club robustly put its case to the SPFL to treat both teams fairly with an even share of tickets, given Hampden is a neutral venue and, as such, presented an option that would split the allocation for the match evenly between both competing finalists.

‘The proposal suggested AFC hold back five sections on the east side of the North Stand, selling them to Dons supporters should demand require it.

‘If, however, by an agreed date it was clear that wasn’t going to be the case, the tickets could then be allocated to our opponents in plenty of time in which to sell them.

‘Much to our extreme disappointment and frustration, this