Chaos erupts outside Old Trafford as fans face delays
Chaos has erupted outside Old Trafford as hundreds of Manchester United fans were stuck at the turnstiles before their clash with West Ham. Supporters reported missing the start of the Thursday night game due to poor stewarding at the iconic stadium, reports BritPanorama.
Delays were reportedly caused, in part, by the length of the searches conducted by stewards. Furthermore, the recent shift to NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for stadium entry has added to the frustrations of fans trying to gain access.
The club announced that attendees should ensure they have downloaded their tickets to avoid further delays. One supporter expressed their dissatisfaction, commenting, “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it.” This incident follows similar problems experienced last week, with widespread reports of issues as fans entered the Stretford End during the match against Everton.
Another fan took to social media to voice their frustration, stating, “United need to do better for their fans. It has been like this all season when trying to get into the Stretford End and all around Old Trafford.” A Manchester United spokesman later addressed the issue, acknowledging the frustration fans experienced due to the queues close to kick-off. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve flows, including deploying additional stewarding staff to help deal with any issues causing hold-ups at turnstiles,” they stated. They also noted that, generally, digital ticketing has been functioning well and there were no systemic problems reported during the match.
The spokesman added, “The best way to avoid queues is to arrive at the stadium in plenty of time before kick-off, although we do appreciate that this can be more difficult for midweek games and that many fans were affected by traffic congestion around the ground last night.” These ongoing issues highlight the challenges faced by fans as they seek to support their team amidst operational changes at one of football’s most revered venues.
In the world of football, where passion can run high, it serves as a reminder that the bond between clubs and their supporters relies heavily on smooth experiences — challenges at the gates can ignite frustration, pulling attention away from the match itself.
