BARCELONER
EXCLUSIVE SUPPORTER RUNS OUT OF LUCK
BY STEPHEN STEWART A SCOTS football fan looks to have been left stranded alone in Barcelona over Easter after being robbed. Dad-of-two Graeme Patrick, an avid Manchester United supporter, told yesterday how he had no cash, no cards to get any – and no passport after a string of troubles. Graeme, who is divorced, travelled to Spain on his own to see his beloved team take on Messi and comrades at the Nou Camp stadium on Tuesday. But the dream trip turned to a nightmare when he had his passport, laptop and phone stolen while he turned his back briefly in a Man United fan zone in the city. To add insult to injury, Graeme sprained his ankle while stranded and trudging across the city trying to get access to cash and an emergency passport. He said: “It has been a nightmare, I am at my wit’s end. I never even got to see the game. I travelled alone but met a few fellow fans over here. We went to a fanzone in Barcelona. “I turned to put my flag up on a post and when I turned back, my l aptop and passport were gone. “It’s bad anyway but it makes it worse to think that my stuff has been stolen by fellow Man United fans. Later on, I was panicking and I went to check my phone and that was gone.
“It was in my pocket but I must have been pickpocketed. I have been in total meltdown and just don’t know where to turn. I can’t get money for food or anything as I have no bank cards and no ID.
“I have been walking for miles as I have no money for transport and managed to hurt my ankle with the hours and hours of walking. I couldn’t get a hold of anyone at the consulate as they seem to have shut down for Easter.”
Graeme’s beloved Red Devils lost 3-0 as Barcelona went on to the semi-finals.
Graeme, 55, from Grangemouth, said: “It has been a total disaster. I am really panicking now. I have been calling my travel agent constantly and just get their voicemail.”
The Asda distribution centre worker said he had been in touch with his employers and added: “They have been fantastic.” But he said: “I feel totally stranded. I was due to fly into Prestwick on Wednesday at 11.45pm before an overnight stay in a hotel and then heading home.
“On Tuesday, after all my gear was stolen, I tried to walk back to the hotel. I made it to the central station but then I got lost and was walking for about eight hours. Every time I was asking for help or directions, people assumed I was English and just ignored me.
“It could be into next week before I can get home.”