Afrigather The Moroccan nationwide airline cancelled Wednesday flights scheduled between Casablanca and Doha for followers wishing to attend the World Cup semi-final between Morocco and France after others who had already arrived in Qatar have been unable to acquire promised tickets for the match.
The seven cancelled flights affect “2,100 passengers. The 23 different flights operated by RAM are nonetheless maintained,” a supply near the case advised AFP.
The RAM had introduced Monday to function 30 particular flights Tuesday and Wednesday between Casablanca and Doha to carry supporters for the semi-final.
In Doha, Moroccan followers who arrived on board the primary flights of this airlift and met by AFP late Tuesday afternoon defined that the Moroccan Soccer Federation (FRMF) had promised them tickets which they didn’t obtain.
Movies posted Wednesday on social networks present teams of Moroccan followers blocked by Qatari police at Hamad airport.
– Followers account –
In line with accounts on Twitter, these followers refused to depart the airport till they’d tickets for the semi-final.
“We determined to journey final night time after RAM determined to supply (air) tickets on the symbolic value of 5,500 dirhams (EUR 450),” Amjad Larbi, 25, who travelled with out a ticket to the match, advised AFP.
Anas Kolfa, 31, who arrived in Doha on Tuesday, was capable of get the valuable sesame at no cost late within the night from the FRMF, which had purchased tickets from FIFA, in line with him.
Mourad Louerad, 21, didn’t get a ticket.
“I flew as a result of we have been advised that tickets have been obtainable at Doha airport,” he confirmed to AFP.
“We have been promised in Morocco that they might be distributed on the airport to individuals arriving on RAM flights. Afterwards, we have been requested to go to al-Janoub stadium however we discovered nothing,” he mentioned.
– “Black market” –
In line with one other fan, Amine Farid, a 31-year-old laptop scientist, “the massive drawback is the black market … Tickets are offered 4 or 5 occasions their value.”
Others denounced the clientelism and favouritism of federation officers who “give tickets to their pals and acquaintances”.
The FRMF couldn’t be reached.
A message calling on followers “to not go to the 2 airports (in Doha) till they’ve obtained tickets for the matches” was posted Wednesday morning on the Twitter account of Hamad Worldwide Airport, the place flights from Casablanca arrive.
“We remind followers that Hamad Worldwide Airport and Doha Airport aren’t official websites for acquiring tickets for World Cup matches,” the message additionally specified.
Within the afternoon, the Hamad airport was quiet, some Moroccan followers disembarked with their Hayya card, performing as an entry visa, some with tickets, others with out tickets however hoping to seek out some.
Contacted by the AFP, the Qatari authorities didn’t give a continuation.
On the eve of the semi-final, the committee answerable for the safety of the match reminded on Twitter that “followers with out tickets is not going to be allowed within the enclosure and across the stadiums” and that every one the tickets “scanned (on the entrance, editor’s be aware) are registered and can’t be reused to entry the stadium.
