Ticketing fiasco leaves fans stranded outside

HUNDREDS of England supporters missed kick-off after FIFA’s ticketing system broke down, leaving them stranded outside the Khalifa International Stadium.

The FIFA app malfunctioned an hour before the match, leaving fans unable to gain entry. With a frustrated crowd massing at turnstiles, FIFA issued a statement five minutes before kick-off asking fans to join another queue to collect paper tickets, which many ignored. With players kicking off in front of empty seats, witnesses claimed stewards admitted fans without checking tickets.

A crowd of 45,334 was announced at a ground that officially holds 45,416, although wealthy Qataris largely stayed away. Several of the 36 suites were unused and many only had a few guests. As at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, fans reported a lack of hot food at kiosks.