Istanbul CL Final chaos | City Matters statement (p 133)

Alex - City Matters said:
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Weirdly enough, I lost access to my City Matters account shortly after I posted it publicly. Only just sorted it.

The club came back to me with a somewhat positive reply to the report, without really addressing the parts that related to themselves. We are meeting with them tomorrow (a wider meeting, touching upon the group's governance for example) and we have reiterated that we would like them to comment publicly and improve the areas that related to the club. We would also like to see the evidence that they submitted to the UEFA independent of my report. Presuming that doesn't happen (and I don't hold out much hope), then we will start to ramp up some of the other avenues that we have used to publicise the issues faced in Istanbul and the report.

One of the positive aspects from the club is that they passed on the report to UEFA. As reported in the MEN, UEFA have agreed to meet with the club over the issues. I think that at least me and the City Matters chair will be attending that meeting.

As some have mentioned on here, I am in the process of asking local politicians to raise the matter. I would have done this sooner had it not been for my technology issues recently. Having experience of local and national politics myself, I will probably be able to liaise with Lucy Powell as my MP (quite helpfully she is Shadow Secretary of Culture, Media and Sports) but I may need others to do so with other local politicians.

In short, that was a long way of saying that there has been some limited progress with this. To be honest, that isn't unexpected given the limited standing of City Matters and the approach to fan welfare by too many of the governing bodies. However, having been in Istanbul and hearing so much from supporters, this isn't something I intend to let just wither away.
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Keep it going Alex, the way the club have been silent over all the issues thousands faced is nothing short of shameful. It appears that the 'normal' fans were just an inconvenience to all those who were wined and dined by UEFA and faced no issues whatsoever. Dippers and the press never shut up about the final in Paris until action was seen to be done. I have never seen so much incompetence at a football match before in my life and the contempt the stewards, police, catering staff, coach drivers etc had for the fans was disgusting. So much corruption and criminality in one place and the club and UEFA don't bat an eyelid.
 
Alex - City Matters said:
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Weirdly enough, I lost access to my City Matters account shortly after I posted it publicly. Only just sorted it.

The club came back to me with a somewhat positive reply to the report, without really addressing the parts that related to themselves. We are meeting with them tomorrow (a wider meeting, touching upon the group's governance for example) and we have reiterated that we would like them to comment publicly and improve the areas that related to the club. We would also like to see the evidence that they submitted to the UEFA independent of my report. Presuming that doesn't happen (and I don't hold out much hope), then we will start to ramp up some of the other avenues that we have used to publicise the issues faced in Istanbul and the report.

One of the positive aspects from the club is that they passed on the report to UEFA. As reported in the MEN, UEFA have agreed to meet with the club over the issues. I think that at least me and the City Matters chair will be attending that meeting.

As some have mentioned on here, I am in the process of asking local politicians to raise the matter. I would have done this sooner had it not been for my technology issues recently. Having experience of local and national politics myself, I will probably be able to liaise with Lucy Powell as my MP (quite helpfully she is Shadow Secretary of Culture, Media and Sports) but I may need others to do so with other local politicians.

In short, that was a long way of saying that there has been some limited progress with this. To be honest, that isn't unexpected given the limited standing of City Matters and the approach to fan welfare by too many of the governing bodies. However, having been in Istanbul and hearing so much from supporters, this isn't something I intend to let just wither away.
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Great words. Thanks again and don't back down to any bullying tactics. You are representing us and we are right behind you, you are doing the right thing.
 
Alex - City Matters said:
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Weirdly enough, I lost access to my City Matters account shortly after I posted it publicly. Only just sorted it.

The club came back to me with a somewhat positive reply to the report, without really addressing the parts that related to themselves. We are meeting with them tomorrow (a wider meeting, touching upon the group's governance for example) and we have reiterated that we would like them to comment publicly and improve the areas that related to the club. We would also like to see the evidence that they submitted to the UEFA independent of my report. Presuming that doesn't happen (and I don't hold out much hope), then we will start to ramp up some of the other avenues that we have used to publicise the issues faced in Istanbul and the report.

One of the positive aspects from the club is that they passed on the report to UEFA. As reported in the MEN, UEFA have agreed to meet with the club over the issues. I think that at least me and the City Matters chair will be attending that meeting.

As some have mentioned on here, I am in the process of asking local politicians to raise the matter. I would have done this sooner had it not been for my technology issues recently. Having experience of local and national politics myself, I will probably be able to liaise with Lucy Powell as my MP (quite helpfully she is Shadow Secretary of Culture, Media and Sports) but I may need others to do so with other local politicians.

In short, that was a long way of saying that there has been some limited progress with this. To be honest, that isn't unexpected given the limited standing of City Matters and the approach to fan welfare by too many of the governing bodies. However, having been in Istanbul and hearing so much from supporters, this isn't something I intend to let just wither away.
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Alex, great work you have done putting that report together.
 
Eds said:
Keep it going Alex, the way the club have been silent over all the issues thousands faced is nothing short of shameful. It appears that the 'normal' fans were just an inconvenience to all those who were wined and dined by UEFA and faced no issues whatsoever. Dippers and the press never shut up about the final in Paris until action was seen to be done. I have never seen so much incompetence at a football match before in my life and the contempt the stewards, police, catering staff, coach drivers etc had for the fans was disgusting. So much corruption and criminality in one place and the club and UEFA don't bat an eyelid.
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UEFA are completely shit and incompetent ..also i think it's a little deliberate - as you said corporate and VIP's no problem..they want sanitized finals like super bowl...no 'riff raff' that might upset the sanitized safe experience they craved. If you were to organize a match and your goal was to make it as uncomfortable and unenjoyable match experience as possible UEFA did it amazingly well. Im sure they briefed stewards, and so called caterers ..why did people buy their £20.00 shit hot dogs - we make a rod for our own backs supporting those crooks.
 
Tolmie scores said:
UEFA are completely shit and incompetent ..also i think it's a little deliberate - as you said corporate and VIP's no problem..they want sanitized finals like super bowl...no 'riff raff' that might upset the sanitized safe experience they craved. If you were to organize a match and your goal was to make it as uncomfortable and unenjoyable match experience as possible UEFA did it amazingly well. Im sure they briefed stewards, and so called caterers ..why did people buy their £20.00 shit hot dogs - we make a rod for our own backs supporting those crooks.
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Agreed. The reason people bought the shit food was having sat on a bus for two to three hours with no food or water to arrive at a fan zone three hours before kick off to find there was no food or drink people inevitably queued for another hour for their overpriced food and drink as otherwise it would have been the best part, for many, of ten hours without food or drink! They knew exactly what they were doing with all their transport shit, the scandal here is the club's silence as well.
 
Gray said:
The Commonwealth Games in Manchester employed an Australian who had helped in the Sydney Olympic Games. He got the transport spot on for that.
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Yeah he was, I met him once. Wasn’t he recruited by GMT? Listened to people, which isn’t always an Australian trait!
 
Eds said:
Agreed. The reason people bought the shit food was having sat on a bus for two to three hours with no food or water to arrive at a fan zone three hours before kick off to find there was no food or drink people inevitably queued for another hour for their overpriced food and drink as otherwise it would have been the best part, for many, of ten hours without food or drink! They knew exactly what they were doing with all their transport shit, the scandal here is the club's silence as well.
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Agreed. @Tolmie scores I had water taken off me before getting on the bus after over an hour's queue in the sun. I don't drink alcohol so this wasn't a case of being told it was booze or acting drunk. I managed to get in the ground quite early despite the 3hr journey, so got food easy enough while everyone was drinking in the fanzone outside. This food was our only option, we were starved like dogs with no food available in the fanzone and massive queues. These unmanageable queues also started taking place in the stadium over 2 hours before kick-off.

I regretted going once I got there to the stadium, really tarnished my mood on what should have been a great night. I felt like I suffered and I'm a fit 30yo man. UEFA predictably let us down on the night, in ways that those who weren't there won't be able to fathom. I feel the radio silence by City speaks volumes, and if pushed under the carpet without a response, they will lose loyal supporters over it. We aren't even numbers anymore, the club is self-sustainable without matchgoing fans, we all know that and the pandemic also proved that. However, I'd feel seriously let down if we don't hear a response from City soon on this.
 
CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor said:
Agreed. @Tolmie scores I had water taken off me before getting on the bus after over an hour's queue in the sun. I don't drink alcohol so this wasn't a case of being told it was booze or acting drunk. I managed to get in the ground quite early despite the 3hr journey, so got food easy enough while everyone was drinking in the fanzone outside. This food was our only option, we were starved like dogs with no food available in the fanzone and massive queues. These unmanageable queues also started taking place in the stadium over 2 hours before kick-off.

I regretted going once I got there to the stadium, really tarnished my mood on what should have been a great night. I felt like I suffered and I'm a fit 30yo man. UEFA predictably let us down on the night, in ways that those who weren't there won't be able to fathom. I feel the radio silence by City speaks volumes, and if pushed under the carpet without a response, they will lose loyal supporters over it. We aren't even numbers anymore, the club is self-sustainable without matchgoing fans, we all know that and the pandemic also proved that. However, I'd feel seriously let down if we don't hear a response from City soon on this.
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I didn't even go partly due to monies and the assumption the whole ' experience ' off the pitch would be a shit show and I feel let down for you all.

Although the club weren't directly responsible had we caused bother over there they'd be digging us out.
 
blue b4 the moon said:
I didn't even go partly due to monies and the assumption the whole ' experience ' off the pitch would be a shit show and I feel let down for you all.

Although the club weren't directly responsible had we caused bother over there they'd be digging us out.
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Agreed. We knew the place would be unsuitable and bar very isolated incidents, the Turks were spot on and very hospitable. Even the UEFA staff present on the night were sound, just not enough of them and vastly undertrained for such an event.

As for the likes of Ceferin, I hope he is made to pay for this. The only way we are going to get these suits out of our game is by taking their chauffeur vehicles off the road and making it too dangerous for them to attend such events. An eye for an eye.
 
blue b4 the moon said:
I didn't even go partly due to monies and the assumption the whole ' experience ' off the pitch would be a shit show and I feel let down for you all.

Although the club weren't directly responsible had we caused bother over there they'd be digging us out.
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Same here. I had bought tickets, flights and accomodation but sold them because I didn't trust turkey and didnt trust UEFA. There was a Q&A on here from one of the fan group and they were asked about transport to the stadium and the answer they gave, to me, gave it away. All they could say was "shuttle buses". If a stadium is 20KM away along a notoriously congested single road there is no way a shuttle bus service is going to work. An open terrace behind a runnign track was always going to kill the atmosphere too.

I would have gone but I was worried about my two lads, especially as we had a fairly early flight back booked. I don't regret not going. It panned out as I expected.
 
Eds said:
Agreed. The reason people bought the shit food was having sat on a bus for two to three hours with no food or water to arrive at a fan zone three hours before kick off to find there was no food or drink people inevitably queued for another hour for their overpriced food and drink as otherwise it would have been the best part, for many, of ten hours without food or drink! They knew exactly what they were doing with all their transport shit, the scandal here is the club's silence as well.
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This 100%
Begrudged paying for the overpriced shit on offer but it was left with no choice.
 
CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor said:
Agreed. @Tolmie scores I had water taken off me before getting on the bus after over an hour's queue in the sun. I don't drink alcohol so this wasn't a case of being told it was booze or acting drunk. I managed to get in the ground quite early despite the 3hr journey, so got food easy enough while everyone was drinking in the fanzone outside. This food was our only option, we were starved like dogs with no food available in the fanzone and massive queues. These unmanageable queues also started taking place in the stadium over 2 hours before kick-off.

I regretted going once I got there to the stadium, really tarnished my mood on what should have been a great night. I felt like I suffered and I'm a fit 30yo man. UEFA predictably let us down on the night, in ways that those who weren't there won't be able to fathom. I feel the radio silence by City speaks volumes, and if pushed under the carpet without a response, they will lose loyal supporters over it. We aren't even numbers anymore, the club is self-sustainable without matchgoing fans, we all know that and the pandemic also proved that. However, I'd feel seriously let down if we don't hear a response from City soon on this.
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20230610_213347.jpg
Disgraceful.
 
Remember when we tipped up at Maine road and paid at the gate or they ripped the slip out of your season and in you went.
The whole Champions League final was overkill from the two apps you had to put on your phone onwards.
Being told to relinquish your water on arriving at the fanzone set the tone for he entire day.
Yes…still the best 6 days of my life but the day I was concerned about, match day, was every bit as messed up as my worst imaginings.
Looking back I would have played it very differently like going up early on the Metro and finding a local bar but worries about trouble and buying into this you must do this you must do that orders made me play it as instructed.I rushed off after the whistle to get a bus and again mistake…but then hindsight and all that.
Shopping in the Grand Bazaar days after the game many shop owners were at the game and had no stories of transport or food issues…They supported neither club but had main stand seats and thought it was a great day out.
I hate to complain when I was truly privileged to be there but * me what a * mess.
 
Dodge said:
View attachment 89513
Disgraceful.
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And that's the short version of that queue as I was in it for 2hrs, at one point the queue snaked back on itself, got to the bit where the disney style queuing started at about 9.45pm and took the decision to sack it off as there was no way I was missing the players coming out or the start of the game.

Instead of experiencing the build up in our seats, we were stood in a bloody queue and couldn't even get anything.

Thanks UEFA you c*nts.
 
Psychedelic Casual said:
It’s a good job the Etihad is only a mile and a half from Town. If it was further out, it’d be a nightmare to get back to Town because the frequency of Mets is pathetic (can take 45 minutes to get on one), there are hardly any buses and the ones there are have to drive through a sea of people walking in the road as well as cars, official car parking close to the ground is very expensive and hard to get out from, there’s going to be a ban on parking around the local area and there is no other form of transport other than walking which is actually still - 20 years after moving there - the quickest way to get back to Town from the ground (but it’s not ideal when it’s raining, cold or for anyone with mobility issues).

For two decades the club have put little in place to improve this. Maybe they think it’s already good enough (how would they know, none of them have to use the Mets, buses, car parks or walk from the ground), maybe they don’t care?
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I do not recognise the scenario highlighted above. I always travel to and from the stadium on Metrolink and suffered no real delays last season. Ok we do sit in the corner of the North Stand and get to the stop fairly early and also have ‘fast track’ passes so that helps.

Last season it was rare to have to wait more than 10 minutes to be on a tram. Sometimes we were on a tram within two minutes. It was not so good in previous seasons -particularly one season without a fast track pass - and there were some delays but nothing as bad as the scenario painted above.

The problem with the Etihad is that it is comparatively close to the City Centre, so many will prefer to walk, particularly on a warm summer evening. We are not going to get a dedicated monorail, or underground train or a heavy rail connection, let alone a ‘dedicated fleet of electric buses’ that will be used for less than 30 days a season.

Better organisation of the trams, for example having two or three stacked up near to the expected finish time would help. However things certainly improved last season.
 
CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor said:
Agreed. @Tolmie scores I had water taken off me before getting on the bus after over an hour's queue in the sun. I don't drink alcohol so this wasn't a case of being told it was booze or acting drunk. I managed to get in the ground quite early despite the 3hr journey, so got food easy enough while everyone was drinking in the fanzone outside. This food was our only option, we were starved like dogs with no food available in the fanzone and massive queues. These unmanageable queues also started taking place in the stadium over 2 hours before kick-off.

I regretted going once I got there to the stadium, really tarnished my mood on what should have been a great night. I felt like I suffered and I'm a fit 30yo man. UEFA predictably let us down on the night, in ways that those who weren't there won't be able to fathom. I feel the radio silence by City speaks volumes, and if pushed under the carpet without a response, they will lose loyal supporters over it. We aren't even numbers anymore, the club is self-sustainable without matchgoing fans, we all know that and the pandemic also proved that. However, I'd feel seriously let down if we don't hear a response from City soon on this.
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Apart from the result I think that Porto was a much better experience.. That’s purely because of the ridiculous stadium location this year… In Porto we were drinking by the river until mid to late afternoon then an easy (compared to the fiasco in Istanbul) trip to the ground..
 
JGL07 said:
I do not recognise the scenario highlighted above. I always travel to and from the stadium on Metrolink and suffered no real delays last season. Ok we do sit in the corner of the North Stand and get to the stop fairly early and also have ‘fast track’ passes so that helps.

Last season it was rare to have to wait more than 10 minutes to be on a tram. Sometimes we were on a tram within two minutes. It was not so good in previous seasons -particularly one season without a fast track pass - and there were some delays but nothing as bad as the scenario painted above.

The problem with the Etihad is that it is comparatively close to the City Centre, so many will prefer to walk, particularly on a warm summer evening. We are not going to get a dedicated monorail, or underground train or a heavy rail connection, let alone a ‘dedicated fleet of electric buses’ that will be used for less than 30 days a season.

Better organisation of the trams, for example having two or three stacked up near to the expected finish time would help. However things certainly improved last season.
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With the Co-Op opening in 2024 there will be 200-250 days a year of 20,000+ plus crowds plus 30 plus days of at least 50,000 crowds. The case for a fleet of electric buses with a dedicated lane, opening a heavy rail line or a considerable revamp of the Metro are now financially and logistically viable.
 
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