TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Thousands of soccer fans returned home disappointed on Saturday after a ‘sold out’ board dashed their hopes of getting the prized ticket for the semi-final clash between F C Goa and Atletico de Kolkata at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda on December 17.
While a few fortunate ones went home jubilant after waiting in the queue for over six hours early Saturday morning, thousands others questioned the claim of organisers how tickets were sold out in less than two hours. Those who tried their luck on-line also got a rude shock as the system was not functioning till around noon, leaving many dejected.
“I suspect foul play. How can tickets be sold out in less than two hours when 85 per cent of the soccer fans did not get any tickets? Hardly 15 per cent of the total crowd must have laid their hands on the tickets”, remarked Joe D’Costa, a resident of Nuvem.
Many others echoed similar sentiments all around the stadium, suspecting hanky-panky in the sale of tickets. Many even recalled how tickets were sold for a premium during the previous two matches at the Nehru stadium. Fans also demanded to know why sale of the tickets started half an hour late when it was announced that tickets would be one sale from 10 am.
Fans are believed to have joined the line as early as 4 am and by 7 am, a serpentine queue was seen around the stadium that even stretched to the main road creating hurdles for vehicular traffic.
Soon tempers flared and fans were seen engaged in verbal duels with the men-in-uniform after organisers put up ‘sold out’ boards. They even alleged that a policeman was seen buying tickets at the counter and giving them to his people behind.
Domnic Norohna from Damapur-Sirlim said the organisers owe an explanation to the Goan soccer fans over the sold out claim within two hours. “The on-line booking also did not start as promised at 10 am. I feel that transparency was lacking in the sale of tickets”, he said.
Incidentally, the organisers were not around to explain the ticket position and the number of tickets that were on sale for the semi-final match.
Hoping against hope that they would get the prized ticket, around 150-200 fans were seen assembled late evening at the southern side of the stadium.
Deputy Collector, Sangeeta Naik and Joint Mamlatdar John Fernandes rushed to the spot as a precautionary measure as the fans continued their demand for tickets. At one stage, they tried to stop the vehicle carrying the deputy Collector, but the lady police constables stopped a woman agitator. Angry fans later told the media that organisers have no right to hold the match if Goan football lovers do not get the tickets by December 17.
The police are making additional security arrangements at the stadium on Sunday as a precautionary measure since it was announced earlier that tickets would be sold on Saturday and Sunday.
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quoteroom
For me, it was like a dream come true. I woke up exactly at 10, checked online, saw that the app was yielding results and downloaded it. I kept trying using the app and after many failed attempts, I had one successful one. I’m really thrilled that I have tickets for the semis.
— Malcolm Afonso, Borda
I can’t believe that after waiting in the queue for hours, it was to no avail. It was completely frustrating and I am very disappointed. Maybe tomorrow will be better. I would love to watch my team play the semis on their home turf.
— Fazi Khan, Rawanfond
I tried booking online at 10 am and failed. Following this, I decided to check at the venue. At that juncture, I realised that I stood no chance. There was serpentine queue around the stadium and fellow enthusiasts informed me that they had been lining up since 6:30 am. Such a disappointment.
— Pranav Korde, Arlem
