Another defeat for the Republic of Ireland last night. The post-match interview with the manager hit the usual notes. Among it he said "Covid is finished. We have been able to get full capacity crowds. You know, all our crowds are sellout, no matter who we are playing".
The data below is from Republic of Ireland's last ten home games. The capacity of the Aviva Stadium is 51,700. The percentage in attendance is presented for each game. The average attendance has been just above 83% of capacity.
Of course, there is a subtle distinction between "full capacity crowds" and a "sellout". This is because of the FAI's decision to bundle the sale of match tickets for some games.
Just over 42,000 people attended the recent Gibraltar game in Dublin. Tickets for the Netherlands' game on Sunday had to be purchased with this game. If more than 42,000 people attend - which will almost certainly happen - people paid for a ticket for one game knowing they would not attend. A "Gibraltar tax", if you would, on the Dutch coming to Dublin.
Gibraltar may have been a "sellout" but that is down to the marketing tactics to the FAI rather than anything happening on the pitch.