EVERTON chief executive Robert Elstone has launched a fresh attack at the FA over the club’s Cup final ticket allocation – labelling it “hopelessly inadequate”.

Everton have received 25,109 tickets to sell to supporters ahead of the May 30 meeting with Chelsea at Wembley and have admitted that some season ticket holders will miss out.

Everton officials voiced their initial concerns last week, when the allocation was announced, over the fact that two-thirds of the club’s potential fan base could miss out on their first appearance in a final for 14 years.

And Elstone now fears that the FA’s decision will encourage touts to exploit fans’ desperation for a ticket.

“The allocation to both Everton and Chelsea is not only too small – it is, sadly, hopelessly inadequate and will, we believe, serve to drive ticketless supporters towards the touts,” said the chief executive.

“As a direct consequence of the Football Association’s decision to award us just 25,000 tickets for the ultimate in prestige games we are faced with trying to squeeze – not a quart – but a gallon into a pint pot.

“I would estimate that two out of every three Evertonians who would dearly love to be at this game will not, in fact, be at Wembley.