Supporters are turned away at Dubai airport due to delays with permits needed to get into Qatar.
Image source, ReutersDozens of Wales fans have been turned away at Dubai airport and have missed the key World Cup game against Iran.
A “glitch in the system” meant that many supporters’ Hayya cards – the permit needed to enter Qatar for the tournament – have not been accepted.
One told BBC Radio Cymru Dros Frecwast that he was one of 13 in a “hellish” situation because he could not board his flight on Friday morning.
He said he expects that hundreds more are facing the same issues.
Hywel Price from Cardiff has been staying in Dubai – like many other Wales fans – and had travelled to Doha earlier this week without any issues for the Wales v USA game.
However, on Friday morning he was told he could not board his flight as the permit was still pending on the app.
@WeAreFSACymru We are at Dubai airport and 78 @faw fans have been turned away and will not be going to today’s game! @BBCRadioWales @BBCRadioCymru This is an absolute nightmare for people who gained entry to Qatar for the USA game but not today as their Hayya cards are pending!
— Eleri Siôn (@EleriSion)
He said: “We got up at 02:30 this morning to travel in a taxi to the airport for a 06:30 flight, but when we got there we were told by officials that our Hayya cards had been rejected.
“It’s hellish – there were 13 of us from Wales on that flight having the same issue, and trying to prove that we had been approved to travel, even though the app still said the permit was pending.
“People have had emails saying that their cards were valid, only to find when they get to the airport that they have been refused entry”.
Image source, Hywel Price
He said around 20 flights left from Dubai to Doha, and claimed that fans flying with Qatar Airlines were being allowed on the plane – whether their Hayya card was approved or not – but other airlines weren’t letting fans get on without them..
“I saw kids in tears at the airport,” he said.
“I saw a father and son – the son went but the father couldn’t go. It’s awful.”
He found a bar to watch the game along with other fans who weren’t allowed on their flights.
“There are worse places to be I guess,” he said.
‘Money wasted’
Mr Price added that many people are unhappy, especially due to the cost.
“I think this must be happening on a much wider scale than what happened to us this morning, and I expect this might continue all morning as more fans attempt to travel over to Doha for the game,” he added.
“The Red Wall will be smaller, I’m sure hundreds of fans might be faced with missing the game.
Myself and one of my mates turned away. We were due to fly at 6.20 am and in the 3 hours I spent in airport spoke to loads in the same situation. People on Qatar Airways allowed to fly with permits pending. Something needs to be done before England match. Total shambles.
— Wil Evans (@WilEvans6)
“It’s not secret that it’s expensive to come out here, we will have lost everything.
“To be fair no insurance company would cover this, it’s the individual’s responsibility to check that they’ve got the paperwork in order. The money will be wasted, the tickets and flights were very expensive.
“With the next game [against England] happening next week, I’m checking the Hayya card all the time, but it still isn’t working this morning.”
A Football Association of Wales (FAW) spokesperson said: “We are aware of the issues and are working closely with the FSA who are looking to resolve issues”.
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