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

[horlock_was_super]

Over two and half hours on the fucking bus.
Then rushed through 4 security checks boarding pass didn’t work through security but, they let me through after checking my passport against my boarding pass.
Got to gate and it seemed the girl who gave me my boarding pass saw that someone with the same name as me was on the flight so printed another pass for the same seat!!! Turned away.
Then sent me to the other end of the airport where I managed to find my correct flight.
By this time I was completely exhausted and was delighted to just sit down.
Woke up three quarters of the way home! A final light at the end of the tunnel.

The elation is back now but, those 3 - 4 hours were at the time horrible.

Mind you when I left my phone, yes I did, on the shuttle bus from the festival village to the fan zone that feeling of despair will never, ever be beaten!

When this guy suddenly appeared with it I didn’t know whether to kiss him, laugh, cry or what the fuck.

Happy now after having a few decent hours sleep. Where’s the alcohol……….

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Agree. Venue was absolutely shite location wise. No free water available either. Uefa should hang their heads in shame.

It's almost as if someone has to die for anything to get noticed by the pricks that run the game.

Seeing older supporters struggling to get on packed buses was hugely concerning and I'm really surprised that there's not been reports of supporters getting into real difficulties.

I’m amazed that no one was seriously hurt last night (well hopefully not) on that walk for taxi’s. Cars were bombing past and lads were crossing the equivalent of a 60mph expressway in the pitch black. It was an accident waiting to happen and a complete shambles. I really felt for people with their kids and anyone with disabilities. Shocking.

 

[hammocity]

We got dropped by the official shuttle around 3:30am at an area just before Yenikapi, was 9 miles back to our hotel in Kadikoy. Metro was shut, first taxi wanted €250, a second was willing to take 5 in a normal cab for €150. We finally settled on one at €60 but he put the price up to €70 as he said the hotel was further away than we’d told him, lying Turkish twat, 15 minutes ride for around £63. Got a cab today from Kadikoy to IST for 1,000k TL, about £40 for a 1 hour journey.

Another **** at Bodrum airport tried charging us £12 a pint, my mate just fucked him off when he brought the bill, said he’d already paid, he was taking half cash and half card for obvious reasons, paid nothing.

 

[Platt Lane veteran]

We used Metro both ways, was a good move.

And yet we were warned, in no uncertain terms, not to use the metro. Incompetent waffa twats.

 

[Edghill OG]

Shuttle buses I was on broke down both on way to stadium and to airport after game. Luckily others behind to squeeze on. From the reaction of the drivers I would say a regular occurrence.

Fucking joke mate. Biggest game in club football and the decision makers thinking that what was being provided was going to be adequate.

Bus drivers not knowing the way and coaches that weren't roadworthy being utilised. No meaningful traffic control or sufficient numbers of stewards. Little to no signage.

Maybe we should cut them some slack they only host the tournament every single year!!!!

 

[jrb]

I always like to give every foreign city I visit a chance, but I won’t be coming back to Istanbul again. Bar the general chaos, traffic, size of the city, etc, the theft and ripping people off has left a sour taste in my mouth. I’ve spent endless time checking my pockets to make sure my phone, money and passport haven’t been stolen. Not to mention being over charged for almost everything, taxi, beer, food, etc. I shouldn’t tar the whole city or the Istanbul people in general as many of them have been very friendly, and it’s obviously the way of life in Istanbul, but the trip hasn’t been great in that respect.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Boooooooooooooo

 

[Son of Merv]

Over two and half hours on the fucking bus.
Then rushed through 4 security checks boarding pass didn’t work through security but, they let me through after checking my passport against my boarding pass.
Got to gate and it seemed the girl who gave me my boarding pass saw that someone with the same name as me was on the flight so printed another pass for the same seat!!! Turned away.
Then sent me to the other end of the airport where I managed to find my correct flight.
By this time I was completely exhausted and was delighted to just sit down.
Woke up three quarters of the way home! A final light at the end of the tunnel.

The elation is back now but, those 3 - 4 hours were at the time horrible.

Mind you when I left my phone, yes I did, on the shuttle bus from the festival village to the fan zone that feeling of despair will never, ever be beaten!

When this guy suddenly appeared with it I didn’t know whether to kiss him, laugh, cry or what the fuck.

Happy now after having a few decent hours sleep. Where’s the alcohol……….

I think I saw you get your phone back! One of the club stewards walking round with a phone held above his head and a happy blue claiming it. Outside the tent to the left of the exit gate?

 

[horlock_was_super]

I think I saw you get your phone back! One of the club stewards walking round with a phone held above his head and a happy blue claiming it. Outside the tent to the left of the exit gate?

Yes I was that stupid twat! :)

 

[maccieblue]

Our shuttle broke down on the way back as well. They do things weird over there! Anyway back home, probably a stone lighter after spending 6 hrs in sauna conditions on shuttle buses and planes.

Could be worse, like the poor chap who couldn’t travel on Flight 1 going out. Hope he’s feeling better and probably for the best he didn’t risk those buses.

So it was you lot that pilled onto our already crowded bus