Help promised for Forest fans affected by City Ground capacity restriction

Nottingham Forest chairman Fawaw Al-Hasawi has pledged to help any fans affected by the club’s problems with restricted capacity at the City Ground.

The ground has been allocated a reduced capacity of 24,357 – or only 80 per cent of last season’s capacity – because of concerns over safety.

Some fans had expressed concern season ticket holders may have to move seats because of the change.

But the club has issued a statement saying any season ticket holders or people who have already purchased match-day tickets will not be affected – and the club owner and chairman has promised the club will answer any questions from concerned fans.

Mr Al-Hasawi said: “I understand the fans’ disappointment and frustration regarding our current reduced stadium capacity.

“We will continue to work alongside the County Council to resolve the outstanding requirements as quickly as possible.”

The reduced capacity has been imposed by the council as it is the authority responsible for issuing the club’s ground safety permissions.

It has said there are concerns over an action plan for improvements to facilities for visiting disabled spectators and claims it has not seen evidence that safety is discussed at senior management meetings.

Mr Al-Hasawi added: “I would like to thank Nottinghamshire County Council for their guidance and full support at this time.

“Sadly we have had to restrict ticket sales in some areas of the stadium in order to adhere to the reduced capacity.

“For those affected by these restrictions, please contact our ticket office for further advice. We will do everything we can to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

People will not be asked to move

The club added in a statement: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that supporters who have already purchased season tickets and match tickets will not be affected by the current reduced capacity of the City Ground.