Turkmen Fans Relocated to Inferior Seats for Al-Nassr Match Featuring Ronaldo
Fans attending the AFC Champions League match between Turkmenistan’s Arkadag and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr are facing significant changes to their seating arrangements. Originally scheduled for February 11, the match has led to widespread discontent among ticket holders.
Seat Relocation for “Organized Support”
According to sources in Ashgabat, fans have been repeatedly informed via ticketing platforms that their original seats are being reassigned. This decision aims to accommodate organized support groups consisting of students.
- Students are being trained to provide choreographed support for Arkadag.
- Affected fans often find themselves with tickets in less desirable locations with poorer visibility.
- Families and groups are frequently split across different parts of the stadium.
Public Frustration and Poor Organization
The response from fans has been largely negative. One source expressed concern about the management of the match. “With a 45,000-seat stadium available, proper planning could have prevented this chaos,” they stated. “If they can’t manage this event, how can we trust them for larger issues?”
Some fans have chosen not to attend the match, despite purchasing tickets. Others are attempting to resell their tickets, which is a complex process due to strict identification checks in place at the stadium.
Asymmetrical Ticketing Policies
Displeasure is heightened by the city administration’s ticketing policy. While fans are barred from exchanging or returning their tickets, organizers have the authority to alter seating arrangements at will. Reports indicate that the premium seating areas will be filled with students rather than loyal supporters of Al-Nassr, who feature global football star Cristiano Ronaldo in their lineup.
Upcoming Matches
The first match in this series will take place on February 11, with the return leg scheduled for February 17 or 18 in Saudi Arabia. Fans are left uncertain as to whether their experiences will improve by then.
