2023-09-11 16:45:21
This is the first organizational hiccup for this 2023 Rugby World Cup. This Saturday evening, on the occasion of the England – Argentina meeting organized at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille, hundreds of supporters of the two teams were still stuck on the Jean Bouin square just after the match kicked off, scheduled for 9 p.m. An episode which provoked the reaction of World Rugby, the supreme body of world rugby.
“We are aware of the delays experienced by supporters entering the Marseille stadium for the Pool D match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup between England and Argentina this Saturday evening,” commented the instance via a press release. “Even though fans were able to earn their seats, we place paramount importance on the spectator experience. We are therefore working with all stakeholders to establish the facts and implement measures to prevent this type of delay from happening again at this site for the remainder of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.”
Measures taken by France 2023
France 2023 also published a press release in reaction to the controversy this Sunday afternoon. “The fans are at the heart of the tournament and we apologize to all those who were impacted by the access issues yesterday (Saturday)” confirming that “steps will be taken to improve access to the Stade de Marseille following the delays observed during the England-Argentina match. Among these, the deployment of a greater number of volunteers “on spectator services to welcome fans […] and direct ticket holders to the appropriate access points.”
The organization of the World Cup also announces that “the number of advertisements in Marseille public transport […] will be strengthened to ensure that fans are directed to the correct metro station” and that “new direct communications with ticket holders will be made”. The goal: to repeat key information, such as “means of transportation, entry points and gate opening times.” »
This reinforced communication, which will be done “by email, via social networks or the media” aims to remind that two checks are necessary to enter the stadium, which posed a problem for many English and Argentinian fans who arrived at the last time Saturday night. “We invite fans to carry out this second access check as soon as possible,” we read in the press release.
There will be no need to wait very long to find out if the lessons of Saturday evening have been learned since the Vélodrome is hosting the South Africa-Scotland match this Sunday (5:45 p.m.). Another full-scale test will take place on Thursday September 21 with France-Namibia, then South Africa-Tonga (Sunday October 1) before the two quarter-finals on October 14 and 15.
“May those who go there today go there sooner”
Will these reactions be enough to calm the ire of English observers, among whom the memory of the fiasco of the 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France is still very present? Many British fans and journalists have pointed to the French authorities’ lack of organization on X (formerly Twitter). “The scene at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille exactly 30 minutes before kick-off with thousands of supporters queuing on the steps outside the pitch to enter”, for example published Dan Roan, journalist at the BBC, supporting video.
The scene at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome exactly 30 mins before kick-off with thousands of fans queuing on steps outside ground to get inside.
World Rugby and France 2023 “working with all stakeholders to establish the facts and implement measures to prevent such delays” pic.twitter.com/v6GWnhlTfJ— Dan Roan (@danroan) September 10, 2023
“You knew it was lies when Amélie Oudéa-Castéra told us that France was ready for the Rugby World Cup. France is currently unable to host these matches. From the Stade de France to the Stade Vélodrome, government, police and organizers are causing international embarrassment, ”denounced Rob Draper, editor for Mail Sport.
John Smit, former South African hooker and captain of the Springboks world champions in 2007 at the Stade de France, also reacted to X this Sunday morning, pointing to a double check of time-consuming tickets. “Entering the Stade Vélodrome de Marseille yesterday was complicated, those going today should get there earlier because the stadium cannot handle a large number of people through limited gates while checking your ticket at two separate points. It also didn’t improve the mood when they ran out of beer,” said the former captain, now a consultant for his country’s television.
Getting into the Stade Velodrome in Marseille yesterday was messy, to those going today leave earlier, the stadium cannot handle big numbers through limited gates while checking your ticket at two separate points, it also didn’t help the vibe when they ran out of beer… pic.twitter.com/u6w2wA4p1h
— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) September 10, 2023
A few hours earlier, Irish supporters had encountered similar difficulties in entering the grounds of Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux during the match between the XV of Clover and Romania.
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