Fans attending England’s Rugby World Cup match in opposition to Argentina in Marseille on Saturday confronted lengthy delays moving into the stadium.
MailSport reporter Chris Foy was on hand to witness the situation, which noticed giant numbers of followers round one of many essential entrances to Stade Velodrome 40 minutes forward of the beginning at 9pm native time.
The delays have been attributed to a gradual strategy of safety checks, in addition to followers arriving near the match time and swarming across the gates. It is assumed that many supporters missed the beginning, with Foy writing: ‘Teams popping out and stadium is about 50-60% full. Shambles.’
One nameless England fan instructed Mail Sport: ‘I thought I was going to die’.
Social media contained a number of pictures from followers who had been caught exterior the stadium within the build-up earlier than the beginning of the opening match for each nations.
One person posted an image which confirmed the size of the issue, with hundreds exterior the doorway, regardless of one hour to go till the match received began.
Videos obtained by MailSport confirmed a gradual entry course of, which amplified the struggles for followers, and confirmed followers ducking or vaulting over obstacles in a bid to achieve entry to the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
In an expletive rant on X, one person wrote: ‘F****** horrific @WorldRugby @EnglandRugby couldn’t even update as I couldn’t transfer my arms from my sides, you can be fortunate if nobody is injured or dies tonight.
‘Worst expertise I’ve ever had at a sporting occasion. Huge queues nonetheless ready to get in.’
Another mentioned: ‘I’m ready at velodrome queuing to get in…what a bloody mess…one entry solely. Transport in metro stunning, Should be ashamed of urselves’
A 3rd added: ‘We received right here at 19.45 however they didn’t open gates until 8pm! Took us 40 minutes to get in and 1000s nonetheless queuing in road! Terrible organisation masses will miss out on begin’.
French authorities beforehand got here beneath fireplace for the dealing with of entry to the 2022 Champions League last, which noticed hundreds of Liverpool followers in Paris caught in lengthy and harmful queues exterior the stadium, because the entry system was overwhelmed.
The nation are additionally making ready to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris as nicely, which may even appeal to important numbers of sports activities followers.
On the pitch, England dominated their approach to a 27-10 win over Argentina, regardless of dropping Tom Curry to an early purple card.
George Ford put in one of many World Cup’s finest performances, with six penalties and three drop targets to safe all of England’s factors in Marseille.
England’s subsequent match sees them tackle Japan in Nice on Sunday September 17, 5 days earlier than Argentina’s subsequent fixture in opposition to Samoa in Saint-Etienne.
