The Football Federation of Macedonia is sharing this information due to the obvious need to provide additional information to individuals who, without checking the facts, make sweeping comments about ticket prices for the Macedonia–Scotland match.
The facts are simple.
Of the total capacity of the Todor Proeski National Arena, which is around 32,000 spectators, as many as 13.431 tickets are priced at the basic rate of 500 denars, or with a 35% discount through Magenta, the actual price for the fan amounts to 325 denars.
Additionally, 3.000 tickets, in accordance with UEFA regulations, are intended for the visiting national team and its supporters at a price of 1,800 denars. This figure does not include the buffer zones, which further reduces the available capacity for Macedonia supporters.
Almost the entire west stand has been allocated to the youngest footballers from the Children’s League, their coaches and parents, as well as the supporters’ groups that requested to attend the match. This is not an exception only for this match, but a principle that FFM applies throughout the entire cycle.
For a complete picture, the following are available in the first category: 4.578 tickets, whose regular price of 1,800 denars, with a 35% discount, amounts to 1.170 denars.
The following are available in the second category: 5.133 tickets, whose discounted price amounts to 650 denars.
Therefore, before throwing around arbitrary figures and describing tickets as „expensive,“ it would be appropriate to check the facts first.
If, for someone, 325 denars to watch the Macedonian national team live are „too expensive“, that is their personal view. But no one has the right to create a false impression of ticket prices based on their own perception and mislead those who want to come to the stadium with arbitrary claims. Even if they are part of the academic community.
An academic title, position or affiliation with any institution is no substitute for verified facts. On the contrary, people who are part of the academic community are expected to demonstrate precisely accuracy, sound reasoning and responsibility when presenting information publicly.
Instead of creating a misleading impression among the public through figures taken out of context and selectively presented information, we expect fairness and respect for the facts.
Criticism is welcome. Questions are welcome. But manipulating figures and presenting incomplete information is not criticism; it is creating a misleading impression.
And when speaking about the Macedonian national team, the footballers who wear the national jersey and the supporters who stand by the team deserve, at the very least, accurate information, honesty and respect.
