Asian Cup Final Game

Below is the correspondence between AFC & I:

*******************************************************

From: Rien

Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 13:05 AM

To: tickets/-a-t-/asiancup2011.com.qa

Subject: RE: Refund Required due to not being allowed to enter Khalif Stadium for AFC Final

Dear Sir / Madam,

Thank you for your reply.

I appreciate AFC/QLOC joint apology to the fans and the offer to refund money.

However, kindly note that the gates were closed much earlier than 18.05.

My wife and sons reached the stadium at 17.15 and I reached the stadium at 17.45 by then tall barricades were already in place to stop fans from entering the stadium. Although I agree that the gates were closed due to "security reason" are partly correct, the real reason for security concern is due to the free entrance allowed to thousands of people to fill the stadium, thus resulting in thousands of paid fans being turned away.

So, the statement that gates are closed at 18.05 is incorrect.

Therefore, an amendment to your press release, to reflect the actual cause of "security concern" as well as accurate time of the gates closure, would be much apprecited.

Thanks & regards

Rien

-------------------------------------------------

From: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011Tickets [mailto:Tickets/-a-t-/asiancup2011.com.qa]

Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 10:15 AM

To: Rien

Subject: RE: Refund Required due to not being allowed to enter Khalif Stadium for AFC Final

Dear Asian Cup Spectator,

In continuation to joint AFC/QLOC Daily Media Briefing held on 30 January 2011 at Main Media Centre, the QLOC would like once again to offer our apology for the fans that were not able to enter the Final Match, despite the fact that they had valid ticketing in their hands, due to the security concern which led to the closing of gates at 18:05.

Once again, we apologize to these fans, and have decided in conjunction with the AFC to refund all ticket-holders who have been denied access to the venue due to Security Closure of Gates.

Please see the detailed process at tickets.afcasiancup.com for applying for refunds and – as always – please do not hesitate to contact the QLOC at tickets/-a-t-/asiancup2011.com.qa for any further inquiries you may have.

Kindly be informed that the submission of the Refund Application Form will be from the 3rd-28th of February 2011.

Regards,

The Ticketing Department

Local Organizing Committee

AFC Asian Cup - Qatar 2011 TM

E tickets/-a-t-/asiancup2011.com.qa

W www.afcasiancup.com

----------------------------------------------------

From: Rien

Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2011 11:53 AM

To: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011Tickets

Subject: Refund Required due to not being allowed to enter Khalif Stadium for AFC Final

Dear Sir / Madam,

It is with disappointment I write to you about the shameful behavior and treatment I met with (along with at least 10000 other fans) at Khalifa Stadium, Doha-Qatar for yesterday’s Australia vs Japan AFC final match.

Despite having valid, four (4), tickets which I booked over two months ago, my family & I could not enter the stadium.

When we reached the stadium at 5.15pm, we were told by policemen that we cannot go in as the stadium is full.

We waited till 7.15pm to get into the stadium, only to disappointed and pushed away by baton wielding policemen … so we returned home extremely disappointed.

This is disgraceful and shameful treatment of fans by a reputed football association.

In view of the above I request AFC to kindly refund the money I paid for the tickets.

Please find attached copies of the tickets I purchased from AFC booth in Villagio Mall on 16 November 2011

Regards

Rien

Cheer up guys. We will give you New Sponsorship System this February.

It is not the point of the money - it is the principal. It is about making them do what is right and showing them there were way more than 700 with tickets. If you don't go to get the refund it is as if you were never there.

If 3,000+ of us show up to get our refunds the AFC will know the extreme of the situation - not what they are being told by the organisers at the moment.

Looks like it was a family day at the Finals...

... all labourers inside seated and all family outside in spite of paid tickets....

Perfect Payback to Qatar's rules!!!!!!

Has anyone noticed the story from AP changed from this morning to now? I went back to the original story from my browser's history and compared it to the AP article published 2 hours ago. Very different article. The first one was very damaging compared to this one that said only 700 people were denied and everybody else was either ticketless or late. It was 5:30 and the gates were closed and there was at least 700 people with tickets only at the gate I was at...

Unbelievable....

after the game, i was surprised to see hundreds of kids at the school uniform running out of the gates. at least 4 buses of karwa are waiting for them in the 2006 Asian Road.

just wondering... maybe our seats were given to them to fill the stadium...

21 buses came to pick-up labourers from DSSA camp (Zakreet) with free entry, snacks and pocket money to fill-up the stadium ... same thing at Misaeed, AL-KHOR, Industrial area etc. The AFC organizers apparently panicked (due to vacant seats for all the earlier matches) so they over compnesated by giving away freebees while the genuine ticket holders were pushed away by riot police and dogs. Next to me there was an Australian family (of 4) pleading with tears in their eyes to be let in but the cops just gave them blank stares ... the Australian family especially flew in to Qatar (staying in Ramada Plaza) to watch this match, according to them it cost them AU$10000 ... I felt bad because I wasted QR. 240 on tickets (bought 2 months ago), imagine what this family must be feeling like after spending AUD 10000?

A very sad day for football. With this kind of reputation I don't think many people will come for scorching hot summer football in 2022

the stadium with 3 tickets on hand bought them 2 months ago. Inside the stadium bay, we (me & 2 of my kids) stopped by the policemen to enter the bay written in our tickets & ask us to go upstair?!?!?

When my son saw the location sign of the upstair section, it is not showing the location on our tickets, so we cameback to the policemen. They said the section is full, but I was pushing him & told him that I have the tickets with the seats dedicated for me, so how come I can't enter to my seats. My little daugh start to look unhappy, though words are passed between me & the policemen, finally they let us in with no guarantee to get our paid seats.

When we reach our seats, 2 persons (father & son, look like from populous south asian country) are on our seats. I told the pa that they are our seats & we want to seat there. He said we sit here first & asked me to search for other seats in the middle of crowds. I cant accept this condition & ask them to show me their tickets, as they said they have it. After few words, they show me their tickets, but it was not for this section!!! they should seat behind the goal & ours are just near the corner. Finally, they left the seats for us, the eligible seaters.

Another third seat was held by an arabian lady, she put her hand on it & said that it is belong to her friend. I prove her that I am eligible for that seat & show her my ticket. She said the same to the other 2 persons who sit on my 2 seat: "you can search for the seat anywhere". I can't accept this way & choose to wait for her friend to come & show me his ticket. Once her friend (an arabic man, >30s yo) came, I directly put my daugh on the seat, as I thought before that her friend is a lady or kid. He is not happy & we start arguing. I asked him to show me his ticket & he show me one in the other location. So, I don't care about him, though he is angry and ask me to fight outside the stadium....

What a difficult way to get your right???

ramil, or maybe those instructed by those "dimwits" do not follow instructions.....I think that is much closer to reality.

nottmbantam, will tell you on the bored.

and end up messing things up.......

let us not blame Qatar or its people, they simply overpay some dimwits, who claim they know what to do....

@ chris like that statement "VAT TO DO" (lol) i do hearit everytime.....

upload all your video on youtube to share between media

Among thousad of croud waiting to be let in for watching AFC final... i was among croud with hope. But it all drained out when i saw guards were pulling back each people. I am so shocked... what will be in 2022 it's a big ?mark

upload all your videos on youtube to will share between media.

1000 of people standing outside near I- 5 gate and argue with guard.But all went to vein.Reply issued by guards were stadium full.But i see lot of seats empty through my zoom.But what can i do after two hours standing outside with valid ticket returned with disappointment.Kalas.

proud to get FIFA bid ????.......OMG my advance pity to all food ball fans.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-546503

Utter disgrace! Absolutely shocked at what happened today. Someone has clearly concocted a fraud. I urge everyone to write formal letters of complaint to FIFA, AFC, and/or the Qatar Football Association. A refund will not be enough. We wasted 2 hours of our time outside, suffered emotional distress, and we were not even able to watch the finals at home.

We passionately supported the World Cup bid. But this is ridiculous beyond belief. Jazeera, if they want to be seen as a free media group, must cover this news.

What is the reason not to allow the legit ticket holder with a lot of free seat that easily can be seen from outside. Football fan where struggle to find a space for parking and finally for me managed to find one with 1.5km walk. Suddenly infront of the gate you were denied to enter. Thousand of people with valid ticket was denied to enter and a lot of them with the family including me. It could be some of them flying from Australia or Japan. Is it this is a good start for Qatar to host 2022 WC? What a frustated and dissapointed !!!

Also why a free ticket was given while a lot of people booked the ticket a month earlier but denied to enter?

What was the reason behind this happen?

i dont know u but what u have said is write,i have no idea how they will handle FIFA if they cant handle this.

There should absolutely no excuses for legitimate ticket holders not to be allowed into the stadium. Will find out the reasons for the same. As for the organising committee, there have been multiple disappointments, but this tops it all - they will surely not be involved for future events.

Thanks cabbage. This was probably nothing compared to people revolution or nature's fury.

I have always been supportive of my second home's efforts in the sporting arena.

But tonight's "over-reaction" from the organizers, reveals a deep underlying attitude problem.

"Over-reacting" to a fear of empty stadium

"Over-reacting" to a crowd of women and children

I really get sick of it when people go out of their way to point out these "perceived" attitude problems. Now, I know better.

I am so dissapionted about this.

I came all the way in a 50 min drive to know that the gates are closed.

We, a group of 9, wasted 2 hours for no reason and wasted the money to but the tickets !!

Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1593367#comment-1763760#ixzz1CS4iaodx

I don't think Qatar is rougher than Saudi. I love Qatar.

nottmbantam keyboard warriors are everywhere my friend..

Oh, AFC was absolutely a MESS at the end..It's so sad and disheartening to read all negatives vibes about the organization committe..Hope their EYES should get open before hosting 2022...

Thanks for the re-assurances, and I accept , from experience, that every forum always has it WUM's.

I'm surprised to hear though that you think Qatar is rougher than Saudi? Care to elaborate?

Cheers

..hope you're reading these..and hope you're not a sports fanatic..seems qataris needs more training on crowd control and affairs management...

It sounded awful and I hope people get home safely.

People are going to be angry and want a refund and it's terrible for all those that have flown from all over the world to watch. I hope they all get a refund and I hope Qatar does sit up and take note.

Not trying to take the edge off, things could be worse though.

We could be in Egypt fighting for our right to have a decent home and infrastructure.

We could be a displaced Palestinian.

We could still be trying to re build our homes in Australia or Brazil.

It's a football game at the end of the day. It's not the end of the world.

I just hope anyone that came to Doha solely for the game, got into the stadium....

No, I know you are not. I feel Qatar deserves a chance to get better.

Let's hope they learn from this.

Sorry cabbage...eleven years is equvalent to milliseconds compared to the millenia that it will take to rehabilitate this attitude.

How I really get it. Lousy attitude is the root cause. :(

and a REAL investigation launched, as well as the results publicised.

I do attract them lol

Just the usual Doha. Thousands were waiting outside holding their tickets in the air. No info from the guards or the police. No comments, one police officer told us to go to the main gate. But it was closed, people tried to push it in, riot police pushed the crowd back, situation was getting dangerous, large crowds pushing and rather agressive behaviour of police. People ran from on gate to another, sometimes they let people in, then the crowd rushed in, again blocked by police. Organization was terrible. Large parking lot was closed in front of stadium, NO toilets for thousands of people, no information, only 5 doors on the main gate.

How can these people ever organize the world cup?

additions to QL, Cabbage... lol.... not worth the computer they type on I see;-P

Oh dear a bad to day footie in Qatar then.... I do hope they buck up and sort this kinda thing out before 2022:-)

As annoying, disappointing and frustrating it is and I do feel sorry for those that did not get to see the match. The World Cup is eleven years away.

Eleven years ago Doha was a sleepy town with nothing. Look at the growth since then.

It is bad, it does not make them look good but don’t write them off just yet.

Waited for 30 mins outside gate........no one was saying why the gates were closed. Too bad for families. God knows what will happen during 2022.

I bought two tickets before I went back to the UK for Christmas, 2nd week in December...I paid 60 riyals each for them, which isn't going to break the bank for me but I would've preferred to have spent the money on my son than lose it completely.

It's not all about the money for me though, I had arranged for a babysitter (most parents will agree that's a pain in the rear at the best of times) and headed out for the evening looking forward to the game. On arrival to Khalifa Stadium we spent ages looking for a parking space and then had to walk for over a mile (in my heels) to the stadium. We were told the stadium was full and we can't go in, you could see the crowd was getting irate and there was lots of police presence. If Qatar is such a safe place, why was there any need for police on horseback and riot police? Did they forsee a commotion?

Outside the stadium looking in, I could see there were plenty of empty seats (I have photographic evidence). I don't understand why they would allow the game to be televised with an empty stadium.

I'm more disappointed than annoyed :-(

They don't want to appear on TV with empty stadium while presenting the award.

.

Exactly Brit.. I guess they are just waiting for the presentations.

Knowing their logic.. They probably don't want an empty stadium during the presentations...

WTH is wrong with them?

I just phone call from stadium. Many are crowded up at the gate trying to get out. There are familes, children, and the gaurd will not let them out. This is begining to sound unsafe and scary.

now that's twisted

Now that's a new twist..

Game finished and no-one is allowed out!!!! Everyone locked in. Gates locked til after awards. They have been told they don't want riots!!

Of course, of course...how naive of us...

http://tickets.afcasiancup.com/terms-&-conditions_sc_6.html

8.2 If a Ticket is rendered null and void, admission is refused, or a Ticket Holder is ejected from the Stadium based on a violation of the TTCs, the Sales Regulations, if any, the Stadium Code of Conduct or any other relevant laws or by-laws, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Authorities, to the full extent permitted by applicable law, will not be obligated to issue any refund.

Typical 'everyone else is doing it so it is acceptable'.

You're saying it is fashionable to finish stadiums late then? hahaha, trend-setter

nottmbantam...on any website there will be shit stirrers. And as they say there is good and bad in every nationality. Don't take it personally.

On the whole Doha is a nice place to be. Not picture perfect, but still good. So give this place a try, if it works out for you, stay. If not, there are always other options.

how abt this : http://www.aboutolympics.co.uk/race-finish-athens-olympic-stadium.html

Nottmbantam, well, it ain't pretty...but QL defo takes the cake.

Qatar is pretty rough compared to Saudi.

But you'll be ok...we all got used to it.

Dear Child,

I deal with children like you all day. Usually you are the one sat at the back who yearns for attention albeit negative attention. So my precious little child; I suggest you pick up your comfort blanket and jog off back to your mummy whom I am sure will be so proud of you.

Goodnight ;-)))

I was there at 04.45. When lot of people around us dared to ask, they were asked to go back as the gates were closed. Few more people and the Horse mounted Police were called in ...

The amount I paid for the ticket would have got 2 square meals for any one for 2 days...

Qatar should be ashamed of itself.

They won't be.

But they should be.

Add this to the list of idiotic 'VAT TOO DOOOO?' events.

Nothing will get done, but we should still shout at the top of our lungs.

The World Press will listen, everyone in this country will just shrug their shoulders.

u can ignore but can't reply back to sunnyday951 .. thts poor

My pleasure:- here you go

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11395475

www.washingtontimes.com/.../problems-plague-indias-commonwealth-games

A pakistani News Papaer Agency can say like this only.. get me a link of BBC or CNN thn come and argue with me !!

Please ignore sunnyday,he is just an uneducated foul mouthed fool.

Oh and his side kick bagat_singh.

They are trying to provoke a reaction.

I'm British, but I'm not a f*@!$£t, and neither am I a loser, or trash. I'm not white either. If you want to insult someone then do so, but please don't do it based upon nationality.

There seems to be a lot of resentment here towards Brits, I'm not so sure coming to Doha sounds like a good idea - is this the norm for Qatar?

already done that.

What's next?

Good thing that I got a free ticket, It's a shame for those who bought them (even more from black market). And those visitor who came to Doha to watch the game.

My reason for posting about this debacle is to get some answers. No need for any negativity.

Here are some contact information for the AFC. Maybe we can get some answers this way.

Asian Football Confederation

Address:

AFC House, Jalan 1/155B, Bukit Jalil

57000 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Telephone:

+603 8994 3388

Fax:

+603 8994 2689

Website:

http://www.the-afc.com

Here is something for you to read.

dailymailnews.com/1010/07/Editorial_Column/DMEditorial.php

Here's what happened to me and my friend today:

One hour driving by car to get to the stadium due to traffic and limited parking space. Arrived at the stadium to be denied entry even we got legit tickets. We decided to leave the stadium and again one hour driving trying to get our of the area. Good news is we still managed to watch the game on the TV because after full time the score still 0-0.

So far of a good experience, next time better watch on TV. Less hassle.

This is just Asian Cup level, I think Qatar is not ready for World Cup 2022, unless they sort this mess.

stop lowering yourself to the grade we think you are... its such a shame you take like this, maybe some people are right about you and your KIND. sorry to see you banned again. but its worth it to lose another losser.

to see the game u can watch on Mozaic TV+ .. channel no. 622

How is this possible! This is really a sad they for football. I hope FIFa gets notice of all of this!

It's not the money. We just wanted to see the game. What went wrong?

You'll be banned again and have to make a new account when mummy isn't looking ;)

with valid tickets we could not enter into the stadium,I am totally surprised and disappointed with what happened to us today,its a total mess.

We are watching the game and see a ton of empty seats. Who is to blame for this mess? Did anyone find out exactly what happened? Was it counterfeit tickets? Duplicate tickets? Just letting people in without tickets?

All Beggars who take huge salary crying for 40/50 QAR refund.. wht a nice wealthy status !! lolss

???

My husband bought the tickets on the 9th of Jan! He and both my kids reached the stadium half an hour before the match started and the riot police literaly pushed everyone back. My 8 year old daughter came home crying!!!

Anyone has an idea to get reimbursed for these tickets ?

go and strike outside FIFA management office !!

Same with us. Completely unbelievable, tenet also totally expected for Qatar.

Legit tickets but no entry.

I'm going to write to FIFA and complain that Qatar are incapable of even hosting a game hardly anyone wants to see. Imagine if it was a popular game? Imagine if you'd travelled half way round the world and been refused entry! Totally unnacceptable.

And getting such a thrill from going online with loo language. Does your mummy know you are online, lad?

They will back money as i purchase 4 tik for 240 Q.R. n I GOT UNNECESSAYY HEADACE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE A i PURCHASE TIK BEFORE 2 WEEKS

Say in CNN BCC .. but still Qatar will host FIFA 2022 !! and tht will be biggest day for Qatar !! A MUSLIM country hosting FIFA cup and all the GORAS (White skin) coming in a Arab country to see the matches !!

You have a PM lol ;-/

Thousands and thousands persons were like us, with tickets in front of the doors closed.

This is a stupid organisation which can lead to dangerous movements in the crowd.

It's a shame for all the people who had pleasure to go to that game.

Why did they also close all the parkings around the Khalifa Stadium ?

If FIFA had seen this deplorable organisation, for sure, Qatar wouln't have won the World Cup organisation for 2022.

Minoush we want write to FIFA too because it is a scandal. We are looking the match at the television now and the stadium is totally full when outside there were hundreds of people with tickets.

They oversell and then let us outside and finally sent riot police and horses as we were rioters! What's more.....

i feel pity on GORAS (White Skin) who couldn't see the match with the tickets... i hope this contd at 2022 FIFA cup also.. atleast they will come to know whts discrimination

I had 5 tickets and my neighbour had 4. Many peopel were still coming when we left.

i m flattered

I can't see anyone blaming the country, the only blame is placed at the organisation of this match if you care to read...

I just sent a video to CNN Ireport. We have a friend from Japan who came to Qatar for this game. We have legit tickets. Shut out. They told us they will not even refund our money. This is crazy. I'm going to be writing to FIFA about it as well.

What was worse was the stupid "family" and "men's" line. People pushing and shoving to try and get into the right line. My daughter was almost knocked down by men trying to find the right line. Once we got to the family line, all the husbands were told to go to the men's line. WTF???

Dear sunnyday951 when you spend money you MUST have what you pay for, not a door closed on your nose! Maybe you are used to throw away your money???? We don't!

You are simply amazing. I applaud you; you manage to be so racist on so many levels:-P

blaming the whole country doesnt make sense bacha (child)

What has a ticket to a football game got to do with the country Qatar

go Blame AFC ASIA management .. why Qatar Scuks just bcoz of management !!

Errrr they are organising that game..lol

What has a ticket to a football game got to do with people's salaries..lol

qatar scuks but still people come in qatar for huge salary which they don't get in their own countries

It appears to be an equal opportunity screw-up.

BTW, did anybody ever tell you that your language is a sign of your lack of vocabulary and failure at being articulate? ;)

u r amazing .. superlike to ur comment !!

it take a brain to work it out no room stop selling tickets. say no more or we wil ban you. and what a tosser the comments from sunnyday.... say no more or we will get banned to say anything about this great country we are working in and the people that run it.

qatar sucks!!!! imagine its hard to get a parking then you have to walk far just to get to the entrance and you will find out that the gate is closed. i have tickets with me for 2 weeks and waited so long for the finals......!!!!! grrrr!!!!

We just come back from stadium with two tickets bought 2 months ago. A Qatari of the organization team told us that gates have to be closed at 5.30! But who knows? And why they continue selling tickets until 6.00 o' clock????!!!!!!!!

And yes there where horses and riot police.

Now what I ask is where and how we can have money back!!!!!

What a scandal and what a delusion........

I think she was just trying to climb over the fence and got stopped..

very bad should have thrown the tickets at their face and left

I thought they got over that problem during this tournament. Didn't see any ticket holder being denied entry though the course of Asia cup but guess finals day has brought back the old problem.

Snessy shopping is anyway much better than watching Football so go for it :-P

IT'S NOT FULL. I took shots using my telephoto lens from outside the stadium. Real sad day for soccer. :(

and not just a few.

Or in Cairo? lol

I hear there is riot police on horses and the army is out.

Something went wrong here...too many people waiting outside the stadium with tickets. I can't believe they over sold that many tickets.

Am I missing something?

UNIVERSAL LOGIC:

tickets=entrance

QATAR LOGIC:

tickets=whatever we feel like doing

UGH...so frustrated:(

or Dimwitted Mail, is more like it ;)

all u GORAS (white SKIN) can blame management after all Qatar has WON FIFA 2022 to host.. can't see a small arab country HOST FIFA Cup

They can't even sell the right number of tickets and accommodate the paid ticket holders?? That really sucks.

Atlast discrimination with GORAS (white skin) .. lolzzzzzzzzzzz

how come the goras (white skin) didnt get entry like villagio =))

Me too! I gave up and have headed to villagio to get a bite to eat! I will be online later to have a good old moan...I am one unhappy bunny :-(

Yes, but now being feisty on the DM website. lol

That sucks about the match. This whole tourney has had so many issues that reflect poorly on qatar. It's a shame.

I waited for almost an hour outside the gates with my kids and then finally came back. Thousands of people outside the gates with tickets, many gradually started to leave.

Guards say they have been told stadium is full and ot shut the gates.

That's pretty bad. :(