Spurs fans aim dig at rivals Arsenal as they explain why new stadium had almost 3,000 empty seats
The official attendance of last night's curtain-raiser at the 62,062-seat Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was 59,215
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A TOTTENHAM fan group could not resist a dig at rivals Arsenal after the club came under criticism for their attendance at their new stadium's grand opening.
The official crowd last night for the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace was 59,215, almost 3,000 less than the stadium's 62,062 capacity.
A number of seats were covered in order to segregate the two sets of fans while some suggested that the reason behind the empty seats was due to corporate places not being filled.
But it is understood Spurs may never be able to play in front of a full house - because their floating pitch knocks out three rows of seats.
There is an official "absolute" capacity for safety certificate purposes.
But that is only available for events when the pitch is not in place - such as NFL games and rugby.
The football pitch is placed on top meaning it actually sits higher than the lowest rows of seats - those therefore cannot be sold.
Unlike some other Clubs, Spurs prefer to announce actual numbers through turnstiles, rather than tickets sold.
Kat Law, Tottenham Hotspur Supporter's Trust
But when matches are staged on the artificial surface, 1.5metres under the level of the football pitch, those seats will be available - totalling the full 62,062 capacity.
Kat Law from Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust released a statement on Twitter this evening to try and explain the group's understanding - and added a not-so-subtle jibe aimed at bitter rivals Arsenal.
The statement read: "We've caught up with the Head of Ticketing regarding the reported attendance at last night's game v Palace.
"The first two rows of both the North and South Stand were unavailable for sale last night."
Law went on to claim no shows and segregation also played a part in the reduced capacity.
She then added: "Unlike some other Clubs, Spurs prefer to announce actual numbers through turnstiles, rather than tickets sold. Something we heartily support!
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"There were no queues at the ticket office after 7.30pm and no major issues inside the bowl, either."
One fan spotted the cheeky line about "other" clubs and replied: "Like the not so subtle dig there." The Supporters' Trust simply came back with an angel emoji.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's full capacity is just 1,802 more than Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, which has 60,260 seats.