Everton fans BLAST digital ticket chaos that saw them locked out of Burnley cup tie at Goodison Park, with supporters reporting ‘kids crying’ amid ‘scary’ crush which saw thousands queuing for up to an HOUR
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Everton fans are demanding answers for an ‘absolutely terrible’ situation outside Goodison Park last night, with a ‘very scary crush’ at turnstiles leaving children in tears.
Ahead of Everton’s Carabao Cup tie with Burnley on Wednesday evening, fans were seen scrambling at the turnstiles, with reports that digital tickets for season ticket holders were not being scanned.
At kick-off, huge crowds began to form along Bullens Road, Goodison Road and on Gwladys Street, with many missing the start of the match, which Everton eventually won 3–0.
Fans reported being unable to move in either direction due to the crowds, with the Everton Fans’ Forum seeking ‘urgent answers’ from the club as to what went wrong.
One fan, Brian, who had his 14-year-old daughter with him, wrote: ‘Absolutely disgusting show last night. Goodison Road became a very scary place last night and no one seemed to care.
Everton fans were left concerned for their safety after a major crush was caused by ticket problems
Fans sought help to resolve the issue, which saw tickets not being scanned at the Goodison turnstiles
It meant there were empty seats before and at kick-off as fans were left sitting outside
‘You just have to start on time and you don’t have to worry about the well-being of the fans. We certainly weren’t the people’s club last night.’
Another fan, Mark, wrote: ‘Disgraceful that tonight. We were in the middle of the crowds, a guy shouting that he was disabled and couldn’t handle the crowds.
‘We finished when we got to the Winslow, descending to County Road and then up again.
‘We were still 15 minutes late after arriving at the ground 40 minutes before kick-off.’
The Everton Fans forum posted on This has been raised at the club and urgent answers have been sought as to the cause of this chaos.”
Many posted stories of how they sought help from police and stewards but received little support or guidance on how to safely resolve the long queues and clashes outside, with some queuing for up to an hour.
Mail Sport has approached Everton for comment.
Fans took to social media to condemn the ‘terrible’ situation that left ‘children crying’
Everton would win the cup match 3-0, but many were left frustrated at events beforehand
A fan who attended the match told Mail Sport that the stewards were ‘visibly stressed’ as they tried to figure out how to control the crowd.
The issue centered on tickets, with many season ticket holders discovering that their digital card, as well as the physical card, scanned red at the turnstile and they were told they had to go to the box office to have a physical ticket printed.
With thousands of tickets not being scanned, large queues ensued at the box office, where staff there were said to have been ‘great’ in their efforts to get fans in for kick-off.
Many wanted to see the kick-off postponed, but instead they were forced to miss the opening stages of the match, as well as the pre-match tribute for former club chairman Bill Kenwright.