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Soccer chiefs' ticketing inquiry Soccer chiefs' ticketing inquiry
(20 minutes later)
Football authorities are to launch an inquiry into the ticketing "fiasco" which surrounded Wales' opening World Cup qualifying match.Football authorities are to launch an inquiry into the ticketing "fiasco" which surrounded Wales' opening World Cup qualifying match.
Hundreds of fans missed the start of the Azerbaijan game while queueing for tickets at kick-off on Saturday.Hundreds of fans missed the start of the Azerbaijan game while queueing for tickets at kick-off on Saturday.
Fans have since complained about the Football Association of Wales's (FAW) handling of sales on the day and it has now vowed to look into the issue.Fans have since complained about the Football Association of Wales's (FAW) handling of sales on the day and it has now vowed to look into the issue.
It said up to 10,000 tickets were sold on the day, which was "unprecedented".It said up to 10,000 tickets were sold on the day, which was "unprecedented".
Following the game fans on the BBC 606 messageboard described the situation as a "fiasco" with of queues stretching up both Westgate Street outside the Millennium Stadium, and nearby St Mary Street. Following the game fans on the BBC 606 messageboard described the situation as a "fiasco" with queues stretching up both Westgate Street outside the Millennium Stadium, and nearby St Mary Street.
Others reported seeing thousands of fans giving up and going home after becoming frustrated at having to queue for so long for their tickets. Others reported seeing thousands of fans giving up and going home after becoming frustrated at having to queue for so long for their tickets.There were an estimated 1,000 people waiting as the game kicked off.
BBC Wales sports reporter Phil Steele said there must have been at least up to 1,000 people waiting as the game kicked off.
Dafydd Idris Edwards, from Pontypridd, said: "[We] were two adults and three children and when we joined the queue 45 minutes before the match it extended to some 400 yards - it was raining of course so that made things even worse.Dafydd Idris Edwards, from Pontypridd, said: "[We] were two adults and three children and when we joined the queue 45 minutes before the match it extended to some 400 yards - it was raining of course so that made things even worse.
"When the match started, much to our surprise, the queue had gone down to about 200 yards.""When the match started, much to our surprise, the queue had gone down to about 200 yards."
'Ridiculous' situation'Ridiculous' situation
He said by 1510 BST, 10 minutes after the game had begun, they decided it was "a complete waste of time, so myself and the two children who were with me left.He said by 1510 BST, 10 minutes after the game had begun, they decided it was "a complete waste of time, so myself and the two children who were with me left.
"Our friends stayed and I phoned them then a little bit later on and they got into the ground five minutes before half-time."Our friends stayed and I phoned them then a little bit later on and they got into the ground five minutes before half-time.
"So it was quite ridiculous actually. There was no reduction in the cost of the ticket because of the fact that they couldn't get in."So it was quite ridiculous actually. There was no reduction in the cost of the ticket because of the fact that they couldn't get in.
"I hope they'll be making some sort of statement and grovelling to the fans. Next time, we won't be doing anything. We'll be staying put and watching it on television.""I hope they'll be making some sort of statement and grovelling to the fans. Next time, we won't be doing anything. We'll be staying put and watching it on television."
An FAW spokesman said: "It was very unfortunate, and very regrettable," he said. "The ticketing office will take a long, long, look at it.An FAW spokesman said: "It was very unfortunate, and very regrettable," he said. "The ticketing office will take a long, long, look at it.
"On Saturday there was a huge 'walk-up', possibly one that we've never experienced before."On Saturday there was a huge 'walk-up', possibly one that we've never experienced before.
'Unprecedented' demand'Unprecedented' demand
"It was almost unprecedented, with 7,000-10,000 people buying tickets on the day. As we'd only sold 10,000 tickets in advance, it would have been possible for us to double the crowd we had."It was almost unprecedented, with 7,000-10,000 people buying tickets on the day. As we'd only sold 10,000 tickets in advance, it would have been possible for us to double the crowd we had.
"As it's a World Cup international game, we are contracted to start at 3pm, for a number of reasons including TV coverage."As it's a World Cup international game, we are contracted to start at 3pm, for a number of reasons including TV coverage.
"The only reason the game could have been held up would have been on police advice."The only reason the game could have been held up would have been on police advice.
"A hold-up would also affect the players, who work to a tight schedule - preparing, and counting down for a 3pm kick off."A hold-up would also affect the players, who work to a tight schedule - preparing, and counting down for a 3pm kick off.
"A delay of 20 or 30 minutes would have been very, very difficult from a playing point of view."A delay of 20 or 30 minutes would have been very, very difficult from a playing point of view.
"In itself, it is positive we had so many people turning out, and we are glad they did."In itself, it is positive we had so many people turning out, and we are glad they did.
"But a lot of people left it very late in the day. Inevitably, whether you are going to the cinema or theatre, if you leave it relatively late, there's always a chance you'll miss the start."But a lot of people left it very late in the day. Inevitably, whether you are going to the cinema or theatre, if you leave it relatively late, there's always a chance you'll miss the start.
"We wish people would buy their tickets in advance.""We wish people would buy their tickets in advance."