Fan's anger at 'farcical' scenes in Warsaw (From Daily Echo)
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England fan angry at treatment in Poland after abandoned match due to waterlogged pitch
5:20pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News
By Luke Tugby, Senior reporter
Leighton O'Hara
An avid England fan from Hampshire has hit out at the Football Association, after being caught up in yesterday's “farcical” scenes in Poland.
Leighton O'Hara, 40, made the 2,000-mile round trip to Warsaw yesterday, to watch the Three Lions in action in their crucial World Cup Qualifying fixture.
But the match at the National Stadium was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, after the Polish FA failed to close the stadium's roof.
Now Leighton, who travelled to the game with brother-in-law, Stuart Smith, alongside around 2,500 other England fans, has slammed both football associations for their part in the fiasco.
It also meant he had to come home and miss the re-arranged match this afternoon which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Publican, Leighton, from Hythe, said it felt like the Polish FA had “travelled back in time” by not utilising the multi-million pound arena's roof, despite torrential downpours in the build-up to kick off.
And Leighton also called on the English FA to lay on free flights for fans to their next game in Sweden, after “shocking communication” with the loyal supporters who travelled to the Polish capital yesterday.
He told the Daily Echo: “It was absolutely hammering it down when we got to the stadium - like a proper tropical storm.
“It was like a river outside. There must have been two inches of water. We got into the ground 90 minutes before the kick off and as soon as I saw the pitch I said 'there's no way this game is being played.'
“But the only communication we had was from people back home on our mobiles. We didn't get any news from the FA.
“There was nothing from them to help us. They have obviously arranged new flights for Adrian Chiles and co., so they can commentate for ITV. So why didn't they offer fans the same help?”
Leighton said he has been left £400 out of pocket after the day trip, which he booked with the FA's official travel partner, Thomson.
But he said he is not expecting any refunds from English football's governing body.
The match was put back by 20 hours and finally kicked-off at 4pm BST this afternoon.
Comments(13)
SotonLad
says...
6:40pm Wed 17 Oct 12
So why stay there and moan - go into Warsaw and do something else.
"Leighton said he has been left £400 out of pocket after the day trip, which he booked with the FA's official travel partner, Thomson"
Why is he out of pocket?
Of the Ilk
says...
7:42pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Why bother to go and watch England play any way - they are not very good. If you want to watch, save the moneyt and sit in the warm and dry in front of a TV in this country.
MGRA
says...
8:41pm Wed 17 Oct 12
jugbad
says...
8:42pm Wed 17 Oct 12
st1halo
says...
10:40pm Wed 17 Oct 12
userds5050 wrote:From what I understand the FA have now offered compensation on flights and an opportunity to watch the team train back in the UK so obviously they do care about what you think
Eh, why would the FA lay on flights for Adrian Chiles and co? I think ITV can afford it somehow. When are England fans going to realise the FA care sweet FA about what you think. If you're going to travel out there, stay a few days and see Warsaw. That way if anything goes wrong you have a contingency. In any event England served up a shower of sh...
st1halo
says...
10:41pm Wed 17 Oct 12
SotonLad wrote:Duh !
"We got into the ground 90 minutes before the kick off and as soon as I saw the pitch I said 'there's no way this game is being played."
So why stay there and moan - go into Warsaw and do something else.
"Leighton said he has been left £400 out of pocket after the day trip, which he booked with the FA's official travel partner, Thomson"
Why is he out of pocket?
st1halo
says...
10:43pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Of the Ilk wrote:Why shouldnt he moan, he shelled out his hard earned cash and was dissappointed. If everyone sat at home and watched football, it wouldnt be appearing for very long!
Stop moaning!
Why bother to go and watch England play any way - they are not very good. If you want to watch, save the moneyt and sit in the warm and dry in front of a TV in this country.
st1halo
says...
10:45pm Wed 17 Oct 12
MGRA wrote:Obviously not a football fan! You might not get it but some of us do!
WHY do people follow a 3rd rate international team around the globe ? England are rubbish and even if they scrape thru to Rio they will be humiliated. I just do not get it......
userds5050
says...
9:22am Thu 18 Oct 12
st1halo wrote:The FA have only agreed to compensate the ticket price of fans who stayed on. There were less than 500 fans who stayed in Warsaw. The Polish FA are picking up the rest of the tab. Even then you have to send in your intact ticket, the FA knowing full well mosts of them got soaked. Another mug punter like Leighton lapping up their BS. Did you watch the match yesterday?
userds5050 wrote:From what I understand the FA have now offered compensation on flights and an opportunity to watch the team train back in the UK so obviously they do care about what you think
Eh, why would the FA lay on flights for Adrian Chiles and co? I think ITV can afford it somehow. When are England fans going to realise the FA care sweet FA about what you think. If you're going to travel out there, stay a few days and see Warsaw. That way if anything goes wrong you have a contingency. In any event England served up a shower of sh...
userds5050
says...
12:47pm Thu 18 Oct 12
st1halo wrote:You can prefer club football over internationals and still be a football fan. When was the last time you saw a decent England game? Seriously? If people want to follow 'Team England' around the globe, fine. Don't moan though when it goes wrong. All the while you 'get it' the likes of Adrian Bevington will see England as a brand and the FA will continue to milk you like the mugs you are.
MGRA wrote:Obviously not a football fan! You might not get it but some of us do!
WHY do people follow a 3rd rate international team around the globe ? England are rubbish and even if they scrape thru to Rio they will be humiliated. I just do not get it......
100%HANTSBOY
says...
5:25pm Thu 18 Oct 12
jugbad wrote:When filling out an insurance claim form in Millbrook!
Now I'm not one to pick holes, but, he doesn't look very angry , also when does 2 inches of water resemble a river?
100%HANTSBOY
says...
5:31pm Thu 18 Oct 12
st1halo wrote:Of course it would,the main thing that would happen would be that the players wouldn't receive their ridiculous wages
Of the Ilk wrote:Why shouldnt he moan, he shelled out his hard earned cash and was dissappointed. If everyone sat at home and watched football, it wouldnt be appearing for very long!
Stop moaning!
Why bother to go and watch England play any way - they are not very good. If you want to watch, save the moneyt and sit in the warm and dry in front of a TV in this country.
userds5050 says...
6:23pm Wed 17 Oct 12