Asian Cup organisers apologise to locked out fans

The Qatar Local Organising Committee (QLOC) for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 has apolgised to fans barred from entering the competition final on 29th January.

Many ticketholders were barred from entering the final at the Khalifa International Stadium, when organisers closed the gates 45 minutes before kick-off. The officials apparently feared overcrowding, having reportedly let unticketed fans into the stadium during the afternoon.

Frustrated fans outside waved their tickets in the air in order to draw attention to their plight, but this apparently did them no good. Most were shepherded away from the stadium and were forced to watch the game on an adjacent giant screen.

At kick off, Rahul Bali of Goal.com reported numerous empty seats in the stadium.

Official attendance for the final was recorded at 37,174 - well short of the Khalifa International Stadium's official capacity.

In a recent statement, QLOC officials referred to an unspecified "security concern" as the cause for closing the gates.

The statement continued "we apologise to these fans, and have decided in conjunction with the AFC to refund all ticket-holders who have been denied access to the venue due to Security Closure of Gates."

The procedure for refunds for the AFC finals is:

1. Go to AFC website and click on TICKETS Link
2. Download and fill in the Refund Application Form
3. Attach your original tickets to the Refund Application Form along with copy of your Passport / ID. If you bought the Tickets online or at any of the Ticket Box Offices using Visa or Mastercard, please attach a photocopy of the Card. Only whole tickets can be attached. Ripped, damaged, lost or stolen tickets will not be accepted.
4. Please ensure you keep a copy of all personal documentation and your tickets as well as the DHL receipt as proof.
5. QLOC will assess the Application and refund eligible tickets by the end of April 2011.

Refunds must be submitted before 28th of February.

For more information go to www.afcasiancup.com 

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