http://aggbot.com/Manchester-City-News/article/15702917RESULT! Bernstein does it again!!Manchester United will be given 5,691 tickets for the FA Cup derby at the Etihad stadium next month, it has been confirmed.
The Reds had asked City for an allocation of more than 7,000 for the 8 January clash as competition rules state that visiting clubs are entitled to 15 per cent of the host stadium's capacity.
But Blues officials offered a figure around 5,700 - citing safety reasons - a move which prompted United bosses to complain to the FA.
As reported in today's M.E.N., a meeting of the Safety Advisory Group, made up of representatives of the town hall and police, recommended that the FA should come down on City's side.
And it is understood FA bosses have now given the Blues special dispensation, allowing to hand over less than the stipulated 15 per cent.
United officials say they have little option other than to abide by that decision.
A Reds source said: "We thought we had a fair case and we wrote to the FA to ask for what we were entitled to. There is little else we can do."
The M.E.N. also understands that extra security measures are being considered ahead of the clash on the back of City’s continued emergence and the 6-1 thumping of United at Old Trafford in October.
The numbers of rows of empty seats between opposing fans is likely to be increased in a bid to prevent flashpoints inside the ground.
Police will be wary after problems when the pair met in the Carling Cup semi final in 2010.when 18 arrests were made at a highly-charged Eastlands first leg.
Despite claims to the contrary by the Metropolitan Police, trouble reared its ugly head again in and around Wembley at May’s FA Cup semi-final.
A total of 34 arrests were made but a number of violent confrontations took place before and after the match with the force criticised for a lack of control and numbers.
No such problems were reported at August’s Charity Shield with police in the capital saying they hard learned from the previous encounter.
United are exempt from handing out 15 per cent allocations to away fans at Old Trafford for cup matches due to its bigger capacity.
They usually hand over 8,500 tickets to visitors, which is what City could expect in the event of a replay.