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

Didsbury Dave said:
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.
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I took my 2 teenage boys Dave and although I am glad we went I hated parts of it -

We got chased by 2 locals with knives before the game at a busy metro station (the one we went to because the bus queues were unbelievable, so it was in a central area and no coppers about)

We waited and looked for a bus for over an hour, gave up and walked an hour to the met, had to change 4 times with nobody to help (apart from 4 Arab students - 2 Palestinians, an Egyptian and a Yemeni who helped us loads) and in the end our uefa travel passes stopped working so we fucked off out of the 4th met station and got a taxi to our hotel and got back at 4:45 am just in time to be at the airport for 6:30. We had gone from 2:30 pm to 5 am with no food or drink. My lads are robust teenagers, I am 64 but 14 and a half hours on a hot day with no food and drink, nearly getting stabbed.

Uefa are utter cunts. City are fucking appalling for saying and doing nothing, as are the OSC. Only Alex from City Matters of those In positions of supposed authority can hold his head high.

I know you are a big Blue and it will have hurt big time not to go, but your decision was entirely justified.

I would never trust uefa at all, but I wouldn’t trust City to look after my kids welfare in future. They wanted to go tonight, no chance
 
On the back of my report into the fan experience (or lack thereof) in Istanbul, I have been invited to a meeting with UEFA towards the end of September. There will also be a number of club officials present too.

I have also passed on the report to my MP Lucy Powell, as well as every other MP in Manchester. Haven't received a reply from any as of yet, although I understand the usual issues about not taking up casework for non-constituents. I am still liaising with Andy Burnham's office and have had a meeting with another relevant stakeholder.

At our last meeting with the club, I asked about their reluctance to make any public comment on Istanbul (minutes are linked below). They were firmly of the belief that they would rather wait until any engagement with UEFA is complete. Of course, I disagree with that.

 
Alex - City Matters said:
On the back of my report into the fan experience (or lack thereof) in Istanbul, I have been invited to a meeting with UEFA towards the end of September. There will also be a number of club officials present too.

I have also passed on the report to my MP Lucy Powell, as well as every other MP in Manchester. Haven't received a reply from any as of yet, although I understand the usual issues about not taking up casework for non-constituents. I am still liaising with Andy Burnham's office and have had a meeting with another relevant stakeholder.

At our last meeting with the club, I asked about their reluctance to make any public comment on Istanbul (minutes are linked below). They were firmly of the belief that they would rather wait until any engagement with UEFA is complete. Of course, I disagree with that.

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Just wanted to say thank you Alex for all you are doing to make the fans voices heard. I was there at the Attaturk Stadium. UEFA don't care about the safety or comfort of match paying fans. It also breaks my heart to think City won't stand up and support us like we support them. I hope one day they come out all guns blazing on our behalf.
 
Alex - City Matters said:
On the back of my report into the fan experience (or lack thereof) in Istanbul, I have been invited to a meeting with UEFA towards the end of September. There will also be a number of club officials present too.

I have also passed on the report to my MP Lucy Powell, as well as every other MP in Manchester. Haven't received a reply from any as of yet, although I understand the usual issues about not taking up casework for non-constituents. I am still liaising with Andy Burnham's office and have had a meeting with another relevant stakeholder.

At our last meeting with the club, I asked about their reluctance to make any public comment on Istanbul (minutes are linked below). They were firmly of the belief that they would rather wait until any engagement with UEFA is complete. Of course, I disagree with that.

Click to expand...
Perhaps mention to the MP’s how many of their constituents were treated like shit and put in danger in Istanbul Alex? I’d write to my MP if it wasn’t Graham Brady (who only gives a shit about rich Tories!). Thanks again for everything you have done Alex
 
BringBackSwales said:
Perhaps mention to the MP’s how many of their constituents were treated like shit and put in danger in Istanbul Alex? I’d write to my MP if it wasn’t Graham Brady (who only gives a shit about rich Tories!). Thanks again for everything you have done Alex
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I did allude to that point in my correspondence. That said, I do know how many messages they get per day and so I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t a priority - especially now the dust seems to have settled.

I am hopeful that Lucy Powell will pick it up - after all, she is the Shadow Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and (importantly) Sport.
 
BringBackSwales said:
Perhaps mention to the MP’s how many of their constituents were treated like shit and put in danger in Istanbul Alex? I’d write to my MP if it wasn’t Graham Brady (who only gives a shit about rich Tories!). Thanks again for everything you have done Alex
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They legally can't help, any constituent can contact them instead.

It is great when an MP contacts you about someone outside their boundaries and you can tell them politely to fuck off.
 
Alex - City Matters said:
I did allude to that point in my correspondence. That said, I do know how many messages they get per day and so I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t a priority - especially now the dust seems to have settled.

I am hopeful that Lucy Powell will pick it up - after all, she is the Shadow Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and (importantly) Sport.
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And a City fan…
 
Great work Alex , and all who were there and went through the shambles/dangerous situation UEFA created applaud you. However I think you said it yourself that ‘now the dust has settled ‘it will be brushed under the carpet. The club should never have waited so long (and we are still waiting for any real relevant comment) and should have castigated UEFA particularly considering our(at least the fans) opinion of them. Do the club take on board anything that a normal fan goes through?
Anyway thanks for a great effort!
 
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