MAPUSA: Thousands of FC Goa fans were deprived of semi-final tickets of their beloved team’s clash against Atletico de Kolkata, scheduled on December 17, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, after the tickets were sold out in a couple of hours, on Saturday morning.
While the fans lined up, early morning at the gates of Nehru Stadium, Fatorda (South) and Indoor Stadium, Campal-Panjim (North), but there were some with an ulterior motive, who queued up to attain the tickets for personal gains. Each person was entitled three tickets and two tickets each on online website bookmyshow.com.
Goa users of social networking website, Facebook, were outraged with these two users, who tried to make hay when sun shines, by selling the East stand tickets worth Rs 400 for Rs 1,500 and a whooping Rs 3,000. All this drama took place on the Facebook page, The Football Dug Out, which has over 4,000 football fans.
One member of the group was clever enough to take a snapshot of the conversations from his mobile phone and post it as a proof on the same page before the two users deleted their accounts and their comments.
Another member, Savio Glyn Pereira commented, “I believe if you (these two users) were a true fan then you wouldn’t want to sell your tickets no matter what the price you get for it. The very fact your saying that you stood in the line for eight hours and after all that effort your willing to sell the tickets to make a quick buck means you have no respect to the game and team.
“People like you (these users) are a disgrace not only to ‘The Beautiful Game’ but also to the country. If your sole purpose was money than might as well had worked over time for eight hours,” commented Shane Caldeira.
The tickets were to be sold on two days, Saturday and Sunday, but the 19,000 capacity stadium was sold out on the very first day within two hours, from the stipulated time, which was 10 a.m. However, the officials of FC Goa had the courtesy to release a press statement only on Sunday evening.
“We sincerely appreciate the love and whole hearted support of the fans and would like to express our immense gratitude to you. We look forward to your continued support. Forca Goa!,” they stated.
Many fans were outraged and termed the sale of tickets as scam but the organizers gave reasons stating that “with some complimentary tickets reserved for sponsors and the organisers as per the terms and conditions laid out by the ISL.”
The Nehru stadium which had a capacity of 35,000 was reduced much earlier due to seats having been installed in all stands by the Sports Authority of Goa for the Lusofonia Games.
However, given the huge fan following, the FC Goa management has made arrangements for an off-site community viewing of the largely anticipated semi-final clash on giant screens that will be installed at Colva and Panjim respectively.
