Hearts have announced that they WON'T be able to offer travel packages for their Europa League play-off showdown with Linfield or FC Zurich.
The Tynecastle club have delivered an update to fans ahead of the beginning of the European adventure this season and outlined details of kick off times and venues depending on who earns the right to face them in the final hurdle before the group stages. Swiss outfit Z urich hold a two-goal advantage going into the return following last week's tie in Belfast.
But Jambos fans will need make their own way to either country with the club citing significant issues within the travel industry due to the busy summer travel season as a main reason behind being unable to secure a charter flight large enough for the fan base. A club statement read: "UEFA will confirm fixture details for Hearts’ Europa League play-off round matches by midday on Friday, August 12.
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"The Jambos will meet the winner of Linfield and FC Zurich, whose third qualifying round first leg match last week in Belfast ended in a 2-0 win for the Swiss side, with the return leg taking place on August 11.
"Though we still await official confirmation of fixture details, the club understands the eagerness of its fans to to try and put in place travel plans, given the away leg takes place next week. Therefore, we have decided to outline the fixture details that have been proposed between all three clubs. These details are intended to be a guide only and we strongly recommend that supporters wait for official UEFA confirmation before booking travel and accommodation.
"Should FC Zurich maintain their aggregate lead and win the tie, then it has been proposed that Hearts will travel to Switzerland on Thursday, August 18th for a 7pm CET (Swiss time) kick-off. Please note that this match will take place at St. Gallen’s Kybunpark stadium and not in Zurich. The Kybunpark is situated in the city of St. Gallen, which is around an hour’s drive - 87km away - from Zurich.
"If Linfield overcome their two-goal deficit and progress into the play-off round then it has been proposed that the Jam Tarts will head to Belfast to face them at Windsor Park on Thursday, August 18th with a 7.45pm UK time kick-off time.
"The return leg at Tynecastle Park has been proposed to kick-off at 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
"Since the draw was made at UEFA headquarters on Tuesday, the club has been working round the clock on the logistics of preparing for a match against two possible opponents from different parts of Europe.
"It was the club’s intention to make travel to either country as smooth as possible for our supporters, who we know want to back the team in huge numbers. However, after spending considerable time in dialogue and negotiating with our travel partner, it has become clear that due to the extremely busy summer travel season and the significant issues within the travel industry at present, we will not be able to secure a charter flight large enough to accommodate supporters. Therefore, we are unable to offer supporter travel packages for this play-off round away leg.
"We would like to reaffirm our commitment to helping our fans to follow Hearts in Europe and we will continue to make the strongest possible effort to secure the necessary modes of transport that will allow us to offer supporter travel packages for away matches in the group stages of either the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
"We continue to make progress on ticket allocations and hope to be able to make an announcement as soon as the third qualifying round tie reaches its conclusion.
"The club thanks the fans for their patience during this period as we deal with a situation that has many moving parts, and we look forward to seeing a sea of maroon at another packed out Tynecastle for Sunday’s match against Dundee United."
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