Football
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FA overhauls England fans' loyalty scheme

The Football Association has changed its loyalty points scheme for travelling England fans in the wake of public pressure from angry supporters.

In an attempt to fill out Wembley for uninspiring Euro 2016 qualifiers against lowly-ranked nations, the FA altered its rules after last year's World Cup.

The FA awarded two loyalty points -- caps -- to those who bought tickets for home matches and just one cap for away games.

That infuriated the thousands of England fans who spend thousands of pounds every year to travel across the globe to watch the Three Lions.

England fans regularly mocked the system, chanting "Two caps for Wembley, you're having a laugh" at away games this season.

But following meetings with the Football Supporters' Federation, the FA has changed the system, giving supporters two caps for home and two for away matches.

"England Supporters Club members will now receive two caps for each fixture they attend either home or away," an FA statement read.

"The previous system, which saw two caps awarded for home games and one for away matches, had helped to contribute towards bumper crowds at Wembley Stadium.

"However, following careful consideration of direct feedback to official England Supporters Club channels and the results of postmatch surveys, the FA has opted to review the current system.

"This change will be effective from the up and coming fixtures away to the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia and won't be retrospective.

"England fans are among the best in the world and that incredible support, both at Wembley Stadium and away, is highly-valued by Roy Hodgson and his playing squad."

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