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Istanbul CL Final chaos | City Matters statement (p 133)
- Thread starter baldmosher
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maccieblue
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Still in the ground queuing for waterJust got off my shuttle bus, where's everyone
Nethermoor
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Mad how shit it was for blues.
We moan about Wembley, but London is piss easy to navigate, there's food and drink all around the stadium and inside (albeit pricey).
Next year it's at Wembley. A proper host venue...
We moan about Wembley, but London is piss easy to navigate, there's food and drink all around the stadium and inside (albeit pricey).
Next year it's at Wembley. A proper host venue...
Oyster28catcher
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Below is a draft letter:
RE: LETTER OF DISSATISFACTION
Dear Sir or Madam,
I wish to express my complete dissatisfaction of many aspects experienced before, during and after the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. I understand that UEFA has disclaimers and small print to cover some of these matters, but that is a poor excuse for the overall ineptitude on display. I politely request you review the matters below and apply strategies to future events to avoid such a wealth of embarrassment.
On arrival to İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, at 11:00am, I immediately stepped onto the first coach which said MAN CITY – Yenikapi. After less than an hour into the advised 1.5 hour [as advised via the UEFA fan app and uefa.com ] the coach’s engine was pumping smoke out. The driver pulled into a service station and said to “wait twenty minutes”. I didn’t mind it, and most supporters were understanding. We grabbed food and waited about an hour for a replacement coach. The coach did a tour of Turkey, passing the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, before heading back into the centre, missing turn after turn, whilst the driver kept asking passing motorists for directions. The coach arrived at the UEFA Champions Festival for 4:00pm. I entered the festival, used the toilet and went to find how when to get the coach to the stadium.
After joining a queue, exposed to direct sunlight coach 3 departed into traffic, arriving at the fan zone of the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. The temporary car park and pathways were unwelcoming but not a hindrance for the mobile. I did see several fans helping people pass over the uneven surface to the City fanzone. The queues for food at the fanzone and the lack of options to drink were unpleasant but expected with such large crowds at 7:00pm. I asked for an ice-cold Heineken® Original but couldn’t get one as the man serving advised that they’d ran out. I went to another tent and found a beer to enjoy, but couldn’t queue for food as the service was beyond reasonable.
After this I walked through another security check. Yenikapi had two bag checks. The fanzone had two bag checks to enter. A further two bag checks was made before walking to the stadium along the ten-minute route. On entering the gate, I had my bag checked at three points. The final bag check, the man emptied my small A4 bag clumsily. He refused to allow a 50ml sunblock container, my smaller-than-phone-sized power bank and a small packet of rivaroxaban (with just 2 pills left). I snatched the latter back, which was wrestled from my hand by the steward, and asked to see a supervisor or boss, and that boss refused the permitted items. Bizarrely, they overlooked the loose coins in my bag. Using what little dignity, I had I picked the rivaroxaban from the rubbish bag and emptied a tablet into my hand and swallowed it. I needed it for the flight back on the next day. Two 20mg tablets of the anticoagulant decreases the risk of developing Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) dramatically. The steward and supervisor laughed at me and I walked away.
Before the game the service for food and water was acceptable, save the 5 Euro price of water for tiny-little plastic cups. I hydrated and purchased enough for the game. However, by half time I was severely dehydrated, dry and had a sore throat. I went to queue for water. After 15 minutes of half-time, I was still queuing and listening to the haggling of those selling water at the counter by block 332/331. I could hear City fans being offered a 1.5L bottle of Pepsi for 35 Euros! By the time Rodri scored on 68 minutes, I hadn’t been served. I’d missed the goal of the top-level competition in Europe and I couldn’t celebrate properly because I was past thirsty. Around the 75 minutes mark, I was served but had to argue the 10 Euro price of the advertised water at 5 Euros. The counter man said it was “bigger” than other water bottles earlier. I even had to haggle for Pepsi and paid 15 Euros because there was no hope of getting a drink later. This is a great shame. The region deserves a greater profile and the culture is amazingly diverse. This was not a good advertisement. This buffoonish fan experience was a yarn with little pleasant anecdote.
The joy of seeing your club lift the trophy quickly became a reality call, that a bus journey was needed to get back to İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Post-match buses to the airport were scattered around a toxic fume-pumping atmosphere of stationary cars and coaches. The waiting point was blocked by a bus unable to move and only after forty minutes did a lesser-spotted steward advise that the bus was “somewhere down a road or in the car parks at the back”. He advised to go look for the bus. Walking on uneven stones, through cars edging impatiently and leaving little room for movement, I became thankful that I did not bring my son to the game. This was no safe place for a family and a kid. Eventually, I jumped onto a bus with other fans. Here the bus edged out of the car park during a two-hour period. On meeting other fans at the airport, I was told of people who had had their phones stolen, passports snatched and other permitted items seized at the stadium.
Is it acceptable to spend 11 hours on shuttle buses? As, the premier cup of European nations, the UEFA Champions League is supposed to outshine every tournament in the region. On reflection, I truly believe the final to be the most underwhelming experience I have experienced. I compare this to remarkable cycling (track and road), rugby league, athletics, martial arts and other experiences that I, or friends and family, have attended over the last three decades. I do not expect a response, although one is certainly welcomed. I feel that UEFA’s Super Cup in Athens and future finals will be difficult to attend without worry and anxiety.
Yours faithfully,
INSERT SIGNATURE
P.S. the behaviour of Inter Milan, neutral and Manchester City fans needs highlighting. Both behaved impeccably and with respect before, during and after the game.
ADDRESS TO: UEFA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, WHOEVER...
RE: LETTER OF DISSATISFACTION
Dear Sir or Madam,
I wish to express my complete dissatisfaction of many aspects experienced before, during and after the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. I understand that UEFA has disclaimers and small print to cover some of these matters, but that is a poor excuse for the overall ineptitude on display. I politely request you review the matters below and apply strategies to future events to avoid such a wealth of embarrassment.
On arrival to İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, at 11:00am, I immediately stepped onto the first coach which said MAN CITY – Yenikapi. After less than an hour into the advised 1.5 hour [as advised via the UEFA fan app and uefa.com ] the coach’s engine was pumping smoke out. The driver pulled into a service station and said to “wait twenty minutes”. I didn’t mind it, and most supporters were understanding. We grabbed food and waited about an hour for a replacement coach. The coach did a tour of Turkey, passing the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, before heading back into the centre, missing turn after turn, whilst the driver kept asking passing motorists for directions. The coach arrived at the UEFA Champions Festival for 4:00pm. I entered the festival, used the toilet and went to find how when to get the coach to the stadium.
Time spent on a bus: 4 hours.
After joining a queue, exposed to direct sunlight coach 3 departed into traffic, arriving at the fan zone of the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. The temporary car park and pathways were unwelcoming but not a hindrance for the mobile. I did see several fans helping people pass over the uneven surface to the City fanzone. The queues for food at the fanzone and the lack of options to drink were unpleasant but expected with such large crowds at 7:00pm. I asked for an ice-cold Heineken® Original but couldn’t get one as the man serving advised that they’d ran out. I went to another tent and found a beer to enjoy, but couldn’t queue for food as the service was beyond reasonable.
Time spent on a bus: 2.5 hours.
After this I walked through another security check. Yenikapi had two bag checks. The fanzone had two bag checks to enter. A further two bag checks was made before walking to the stadium along the ten-minute route. On entering the gate, I had my bag checked at three points. The final bag check, the man emptied my small A4 bag clumsily. He refused to allow a 50ml sunblock container, my smaller-than-phone-sized power bank and a small packet of rivaroxaban (with just 2 pills left). I snatched the latter back, which was wrestled from my hand by the steward, and asked to see a supervisor or boss, and that boss refused the permitted items. Bizarrely, they overlooked the loose coins in my bag. Using what little dignity, I had I picked the rivaroxaban from the rubbish bag and emptied a tablet into my hand and swallowed it. I needed it for the flight back on the next day. Two 20mg tablets of the anticoagulant decreases the risk of developing Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) dramatically. The steward and supervisor laughed at me and I walked away.
Before the game the service for food and water was acceptable, save the 5 Euro price of water for tiny-little plastic cups. I hydrated and purchased enough for the game. However, by half time I was severely dehydrated, dry and had a sore throat. I went to queue for water. After 15 minutes of half-time, I was still queuing and listening to the haggling of those selling water at the counter by block 332/331. I could hear City fans being offered a 1.5L bottle of Pepsi for 35 Euros! By the time Rodri scored on 68 minutes, I hadn’t been served. I’d missed the goal of the top-level competition in Europe and I couldn’t celebrate properly because I was past thirsty. Around the 75 minutes mark, I was served but had to argue the 10 Euro price of the advertised water at 5 Euros. The counter man said it was “bigger” than other water bottles earlier. I even had to haggle for Pepsi and paid 15 Euros because there was no hope of getting a drink later. This is a great shame. The region deserves a greater profile and the culture is amazingly diverse. This was not a good advertisement. This buffoonish fan experience was a yarn with little pleasant anecdote.
The joy of seeing your club lift the trophy quickly became a reality call, that a bus journey was needed to get back to İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Post-match buses to the airport were scattered around a toxic fume-pumping atmosphere of stationary cars and coaches. The waiting point was blocked by a bus unable to move and only after forty minutes did a lesser-spotted steward advise that the bus was “somewhere down a road or in the car parks at the back”. He advised to go look for the bus. Walking on uneven stones, through cars edging impatiently and leaving little room for movement, I became thankful that I did not bring my son to the game. This was no safe place for a family and a kid. Eventually, I jumped onto a bus with other fans. Here the bus edged out of the car park during a two-hour period. On meeting other fans at the airport, I was told of people who had had their phones stolen, passports snatched and other permitted items seized at the stadium.
Time spent on a bus: 4.5 hours.
Is it acceptable to spend 11 hours on shuttle buses? As, the premier cup of European nations, the UEFA Champions League is supposed to outshine every tournament in the region. On reflection, I truly believe the final to be the most underwhelming experience I have experienced. I compare this to remarkable cycling (track and road), rugby league, athletics, martial arts and other experiences that I, or friends and family, have attended over the last three decades. I do not expect a response, although one is certainly welcomed. I feel that UEFA’s Super Cup in Athens and future finals will be difficult to attend without worry and anxiety.
Yours faithfully,
INSERT SIGNATURE
P.S. the behaviour of Inter Milan, neutral and Manchester City fans needs highlighting. Both behaved impeccably and with respect before, during and after the game.
pace89
Well-Known Member
I suspect Uefa keep the club in the dark almost as much as the fans. I bet if City asked to do a risk assessment Uefa / the host stadium wouldn't allow it.I thought we had it bad but we didn't have the complication of mobility issues and I feel a little selfish now worrying about getting back to IST for our 3:30am charter flight (which to be fair became much less panicky once Sportsworld had emailed that they and BooEFA were aware of the issues and were holding the flight) while others were having nightmarish experiences.
In future the club have to do better risk assessments and communication for the fans, especially the disabled, and point out the dangers so that people can decide whether to risk it or not. Clearly gravel is a nightmare for wheelchair users and those with sticks. Unfortunately there's no point in expecting the tournament organisers to do anything about it - they want to be seen to be moving the final around the continent as much as possible and if facilities don't match what fans expect at home then that's the continent's fault not theirs. There needs to be a fan-rating of these venues if there isn't one already.
train man
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That fuckin pathetic talkshite 'compere' and lickspittle to the even worse simon know-nowt jordan, jim white, was asking whether travel to/from the stadium and conditions around it were 'really as bad as City fans were making out', as if the all the tales of shocking arrangements, infrastructure and complete lack of basics for match-going fans were something of an invention, absolute fuckin prick!!
Compare to the fuckin rimming he was giving the dippers last year after a glut of forgeries caused mayhem at their end in Paris, the station is a joke! I know I should stick to summat else on the dog walk, but sometimes the loop on uk gold is just a little too narrow...
Btw, alex crook(?) put him right saying even 5 hours before the game his taxi driver ditched 'em saying he wouldn't be able to reach the ground in time, and that the metro alternative was dangerously overcrowded. Hmmm, time to change subject for jim white - after the break we'll discuss the latest in the 'manchester united' ownership saga!!
Compare to the fuckin rimming he was giving the dippers last year after a glut of forgeries caused mayhem at their end in Paris, the station is a joke! I know I should stick to summat else on the dog walk, but sometimes the loop on uk gold is just a little too narrow...
Btw, alex crook(?) put him right saying even 5 hours before the game his taxi driver ditched 'em saying he wouldn't be able to reach the ground in time, and that the metro alternative was dangerously overcrowded. Hmmm, time to change subject for jim white - after the break we'll discuss the latest in the 'manchester united' ownership saga!!
Last edited:
Oyster28catcher
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Heard so many bad things from many, many fellow Blues. Did anyone have an easy journey on the day?
Hope all who had barriers like passports and phone stolen, get back safely.
Hope all who had barriers like passports and phone stolen, get back safely.
Citizen of Legoland
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Maybe not but they have to display their concerns and asking to send out a team beforehand to discuss event management details would hopefully drive standards up and if not give legal ammunition to force a European Super League or get UEFA replaced. If standards haven’t changed since the dippers went in 2005 then something is not right.I suspect Uefa keep the club in the dark almost as much as the fans. I bet if City asked to do a risk assessment Uefa / the host stadium wouldn't allow it.
RACHACE
Well-Known Member
Jesus fucking christ pal. Fair play to you. I'd have been going wild probably fearing for my life.Nightmare of a trip....ended up walking on my own through a sort of gypsy site...one lad was ok another was straight into my bag theiving my beer, trying to get in my pockets. After paying the decent lad 50tl a moped turned up to take me up the mountain side dirt track upto the ground. Stopped half way wanting more money, told him I will when we get to the top.
Pretty dodgy really but no major issues.
After the game was a total different story of an absolute cluster fuck of a trip back to the centre. We all know the story's and I'm just glad I didn't take my 8 year old lad.
Brightwell Bros.
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Lots to complain about to City, but it's not their competition, final or organization. No control or say.I suspect Uefa keep the club in the dark almost as much as the fans. I bet if City asked to do a risk assessment Uefa / the host stadium wouldn't allow it.
its a Barm
Well-Known Member
We were told not to use the tube but they were rammed with city, took an hour, decided ( no idea why ) to get an organised ( ha ha ha )coach back which became obvious within 2 mins that no one trying to get on would be back in the city by 4 or 5am so we got a taxi and got back at 2pm drank till 5pm.
All in all its clear the turkish can't organise a piss up in a brewery, but I don't want to let that experience tarnish what was one of the best days of my life.
All in all its clear the turkish can't organise a piss up in a brewery, but I don't want to let that experience tarnish what was one of the best days of my life.
Manc Born & Bred
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Just heard Danny Wilson in an interview say that the weekend went pretty much without a hitch and the fans were exemplary. One out of two Danny. But if this is the club’s view no wonder we haven’t heard anything from them about the issues we faced.
CleverDickson
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I feel very lucky - after much deliberation me and my party got the Metro to the game without a hitch at about 3pm, and same on the way back, probably an hour either way. Logic being Metro lines don’t get traffic, roads do, would rather risk a dust up with a Milan fan - never any hint of that from what I could see though - than being stuck on a boiling hot bus. A relative was stuck in the shuttle bus chaos though, described it as like something from Mad Max.Heard so many bad things from many, many fellow Blues. Did anyone have an easy journey on the day?
Hope all who had barriers like passports and phone stolen, get back safely.
5 Hit Gibbon
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I feel very lucky - after much deliberation me and my party got the Metro to the game without a hitch at about 3pm, and same on the way back, probably an hour either way. Logic being Metro lines don’t get traffic, roads do, would rather risk a dust up with a Milan fan - never any hint of that from what I could see though - than being stuck on a boiling hot bus. A relative was stuck in the shuttle bus chaos though, described it as like something from Mad Max.
We risked getting the Metro after the match as the shuttle buses weren't going near where we were staying. (thank the Lord that we did!). We got a Metro to Mahmutbey and it took about 15 mins, then we had about a 15/20 min walk.
The difference between that and the shitty shuttle bus we got from the airport to the ground was night & day. The shuttle bus just got stuck in traffic and took over 2 hours.
Sky Blue Thinking
Well-Known Member
Wish i'd done the same, got back to yenikapi bout 4am. The buses were similair to the ones that take passengers between airport terminals and planes so not really ideal to spend several hours on...I feel very lucky - after much deliberation me and my party got the Metro to the game without a hitch at about 3pm, and same on the way back, probably an hour either way. Logic being Metro lines don’t get traffic, roads do, would rather risk a dust up with a Milan fan - never any hint of that from what I could see though - than being stuck on a boiling hot bus. A relative was stuck in the shuttle bus chaos though, described it as like something from Mad Max.
Half Time Draw
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All went pretty smoothly for our party of three. Hotel booked 15 mins from the stadium so did the travelling to the Taksim and Besiktas on the Friday and Saturday for a bit of sight seeing and beers mainly using Uber which was really cheap.Heard so many bad things from many, many fellow Blues. Did anyone have an easy journey on the day?
Hope all who had barriers like passports and phone stolen, get back safely.
On the day of the game got a ferry from besiktas to faith and then jumped on the metro to the game. Full of blues and took about an hour with two changes.
Got in the ground about 6pm and agree that the food outlets queues etc were shocking. Spent an hour queuing for water.
After the game stayed for the majority of the presentation and walk round and then jumped back on the metro. Was back at the hotel within 30 mins.
As much as it was a bit of a pain doing the travelling to the centre on Friday and Saturday was worth it as having the hotel near by made a massive difference.
Feel sorry for all those blues who had bad experiences getting back. It was an absolute shambles by the sound of it.
Had a bit of a long day travelling back to Manchester yesterday but apart from that all good.
Hope all blues get back safe.
Bournemouth Blue
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Uefa needs to be held account for this shambolic treatment of fans , in very different circumstances they have been proven unfit for purpose. Take them to the highest international courts to expose their incompetence, now!
After visiting the fan park in Yenikapi on Friday and witnessing some appalling service I feared the worst for the matchday organisation so we hopped on the metro there and back....thankfully loads of blues did the same and Inter fans were great.Heard so many bad things from many, many fellow Blues. Did anyone have an easy journey on the day?
Hope all who had barriers like passports and phone stolen, get back safely.
We got the Metro to the ground after seeing the queue at Yenikapi for the buses, it was quick, easy and no mither from Inter fans. Unfortunately because I was so knackered after two heavy days, after the game we decided not to do the the long walk back to the Metro and get the bus, big fuckin mistake. Stood on a mobile sauna for about 90 minutes before we eventually moved and got back to our hotel at 3am. Had to be up at 5am because were flying from SAW at 8.30am so we had about 1.5 hours sleep.
Had a great time in Istanbul, loved it, until UEFA fucked up the transport. On top of all that, because we had to use a convoluted route with our flights to keep the cost down, we got back to Manchester at 10pm last night. Having said all that I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Had a great time in Istanbul, loved it, until UEFA fucked up the transport. On top of all that, because we had to use a convoluted route with our flights to keep the cost down, we got back to Manchester at 10pm last night. Having said all that I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
shnaghaicityfish
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The only thing these people will listen to is litigation. I know it’s horribly Scouse-esque but get a mydieselclaim.com style ambulance chaser on the case and a class action for those hurt, made ill, no disabled access etc. and at least it shines a spotlight on them. The club can’t/won’t do anything for fear of retaliation. We need compo lawyers of the lowest order on the caseUefa needs to be held account for this shambolic treatment of fans , in very different circumstances they have been proven unfit for purpose. Take them to the highest international courts to expose their incompetence, now!