Irish embassy and consular staff scrambled to get match tickets for Irish soccer fans at the last World Cup held in the US over 30 years ago in order to prevent a “riotous situation”, according to newly released State files. Mr Gallagher said the work of his staff and the consulates “represented one of the most effective and productive promotions of Ireland and her image during the World Cup”. However, the ambassador claimed the diffusion of the potentially riotous situation involving Sportex fans in Florida “prevented the important enhancement of the image of Ireland, which was developed during the World Cup, [from] being seriously undermined overnight”. He revealed that they had approached the FAI about the matter, and had obtained 96 tickets at $25 each. Details of the efforts made by staff are contained in correspondence about accounting for official expenditure in relation to World Cup ’94.

Source: Irish Examiner December 29, 2025 01:09 UTC