Sport | Football
'Large number of fans caused problems'
Fans faced a problem in entering the stadiums during the opening rounds due to a huge increase in the numbers arriving, the president of the organising committee said.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit:
- Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (right) at a press conference in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, President of the 18th Gulf Cup Higher Organising Committee, said fans faced a problem in entering the stadiums during the opening rounds due to a huge increase in the numbers arriving.
"It has been brought to our notice that fans and supporters of certain countries could not get inside. But this was not intentional and there were over 10,000 UAE fans outside the stadium who could not get in. It is not possible for us to hold all matches at the Zayed Sports City, so we have to manage," Shaikh Hamdan said.
After the opening matches at the Zayed Sports City, the eight teams in the Gulf Cup are playing in the city's Al Nahyan Stadium in Al Wahda Club and the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Jazira Club, both having a limited capacity.
Shaikh Hamdan also regretted the incident when someone from the crowd flashed lasers on Oman goalkeeper Al Habshi.
"We definitely do not support or encourage such incidents," he said.
"This is an act of mischief by an irresponsible fan and if he is caught he will be punished severely," Shaikh Hamdan added.
Shaikh Hamdan also clarified that the Executive Committee had no role in selecting the man of match at the end of each game.
"This is done by the sponsors themselves and they select one each from the two teams. In fact, we also agree that the selection of these players has not been right and in most cases they have got it wrong. But this is not in our hands. We are only responsible for the player awards at the end of the tournament," he said.
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