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Post by Avinalaff on Aug 6, 2013 4:59:52 GMT
Everton fans buy tickets for International Champions Cup third-place play off... only to find they are scheduled to play for fifth place after blunder by tournament organisers!
The International Champions Cup is facing a backlash from Everton fans after sending out the wrong information regarding the tournament's schedule.
Before the competition began, which has been played in America, tournament organisers released an image showing the route teams would take as they progressed through each round.
Having beaten Italian champions Juventus on penalties in their first game, Roberto Martinez's men lost 2-1 to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 'Match 6' of the tournament.
International Champions Cup schedule
Error: The original schedule (above) showed that the losers of 'match 6' would face the losers of 'match 8', however the information given was incorrect as the picture below proves
According to the original information released, Everton's defeat meant they would next face the losers of 'Match 8', on August 7, to determine who finished in third place.
After the Madrid game, a number of Everton fans purchased tickets for the third place play-off and were excited to learn their next opponents would be AC Milan after the Serie A side were beaten by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.
However, supporters were left bemused when details of their game with Valencia, and not Milan, were announced and scheduled to take place on August 6.
International Champions Cup: Everton faced Real Madrid in 'match 6' of the tournament
It soon transpired that the International Champions Cup organisers had made an error on their social networking sites as well as the original tournament schedule graphic.
Having originally used a 'bracket-style' system, where it appeared the losing semi-finalists would play each other, a points-based group format was introduced and it seems the rule change was poorly communicated to supporters.
With LA Galaxy accumulating a greater goal difference over their two games, Everton were placed in the fifth place play-off instead.
Luckily for Blues fans, refunds have been made available and they also have the option of swapping their Wednesday match tickets for the Tuesday games instead.
Celeb spotting: Everton players Leon Osman, Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas pose with Hollywood superstar Matt Damon during their stay in America
A statement on the Everton website read: 'Everton can confirm that any supporter who purchased a ticket for Wednesday's International Champions Cup games will be eligible for a refund or a swap to the Tuesday matches.
'The Club has been made aware that some supporters may have purchased tickets for 7 August after tournament organisers posted a message on their Twitter feed indicating Everton would play on that day.
'However, with LA Galaxy accruing a superior goal difference over their opening two fixtures, it left Everton in the fifth place play-off position and they will now face Valencia at 9pm (local time) at the Sun Life Stadium on Tuesday.
'Blues officials have confirmed they have been aware of the tournament rules from the outset and have discussed the situation with tournament organisers who apologise for any inconvenience caused.'
Upon their return to England, the Merseyside club face Real Betis at home on Sunday August 11 before kicking off their Premier League campaign away at Norwich City six days later.
Coolness personified: Young defender John Stones has become a pre-season hit with Everton fans after his cheeky chipped penalty against Juventus
Source: Daily Mail
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sky
Super Sub
Posts: 694
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Post by sky on Aug 6, 2013 21:34:59 GMT
I find it all a bit of a joy killer. Nothing worse than getting shafted all the time. Puts a downer on the comp.
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