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There were barely 9,000 spectators in their seats for kick off last Friday, as the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team squared off against Guatemala in a vital Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.
The Soca Warriors “12th man”—the fans—could not get in. By the restart, there were double the number of supporters, although roughly 2,000 ticketed fans simply gave up and went home.
Security consultant and former National Security Minister Gary Griffith—who was in charge of stadium operations for Trinidad and Tobago’s last home qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines—blamed the furore on an unnamed Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) official who supposedly overrode his instructions.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
TTFA vice-president Ewing Davis is the football body representative with responsibility for match security.
“They foolishly decided to override what I directed and have the ticket scanning done at the main entrance point, which was absolutely ridiculous,” Griffith told Wired868, “as you cannot expect to scan 20,000 tickets by four persons at one point. I specifically stated that the scanning of tickets would take place at the 12 odd entrance gates to get into the Stadium, as per the Policy, and only scanning for persons would be done at the main entrances to get into the compound…
“Ten minutes into the game, and with nearly 10,000 persons stranded outside, I made a judgement call and directed that the tickets should just be taken from each patron, and allow them entry and scan the ticket after.
“This system ensured that over 8,000 persons got into the Stadium in 30 minutes… Had I not done so, many would never have entered before the game ended.”
So what did Soca Warriors fans who attended the match think of the whole affair?
Wired868 asked Kirwin, Savitri, Brian and ‘Mango’ to share their experience with us.
(Courtesy Wired868)
Wired868: What was the experience like for Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup qualifier against Guatemala?
Kirwin: Sigh, unfortunately the experience was not a pleasant one again. Firstly, the traffic and parking situation was stressful. I chose to walk from the Fire Station on Wrightson Road to get to the venue quicker. To enter the stadium was even more tedious. I took it for granted that we truly learnt something after the St Vincent and the Grenadines game where [everything was] very good. Hence, I got into the line [for the Guatemala match] at about 6:30pm and was in my seat at 7:21 pm.
I took the entrance adjacent to the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field. The line there was about 40-50 feet long and about 10 people wide. Problem was there existed only two lanes to get your tickets scanned. Nonsense! To make matters worse, people kept skipping the line. There were some guys with florescent green jackets written ‘steward’ on it. They served little purpose as they just observed the line skipping taking place. No attempt was being made to keep some semblance of order there.
The stewards did not appear to be Trinis either. One even got into an argument with a patron.
I’ve attended other games, some with as much as 80,000 attendance and entrance to the stadium took no more than five minutes. The difference is the number of entry points… I don’t think it requires much thought into finding a solution for the problems we encountered. I must mention that there was a bottleneck to exit the stadium, which is another unnecessary security risk.
(Courtesy Allan Powder/Wired868)
Savitri: Every single time I attend a game at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, it’s been a nightmare. Friday was no worse than any other, except that they were scanning tickets at the gate instead of the turnstiles.
It took us about 30 minutes to get through the gates. The security and bag check personnel were situated too close to the scanners, so everyone with bags were crossing those coming in. There were two gates opened to the uncovered stand—both before and after the game. This was amazing, since the crowd leaving was more concentrated. We eventually found seats right over the tunnel. I thought, for security/safety reasons, they could’ve opened more exits to allow a faster flow out of the stadium.
By the way, I never left my seat once the match started. There were just three out of six toilets operational in one of the ladies’ sections.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Brian: Well I had issues with how it was organised.They said that the gates were opening from 4pm and that didn’t happen. I got through due to a partner working with [a company associated with the game] and they hadn’t even set up the ticket scanner yet!
I saw that a lot of people didn’t get a chance to see the entire first half due to the stupidity of the organisers and some even got soaked in the rain waiting to get in.
There should be more turnstiles available for easy access. And if they are saying that the games open at a particular time, well then they should be ready at the time given.
To be honest, it was a joke. They didn’t even check me as I walked in. I could have had a gun in my pocket.
And guess who was sitting in front of me? [National Security Minister Edmund] Dillon!
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Mango: Well back in the days it was really easier to get into the stadium to see the games. Most of the ticket entrances used to be open compared to now. I was really happy that I didn’t attend the game against, I think it was either St Vincent or the USA, because I heard getting into the stadium was horrible.
But this time I decided to go because I was told that it would be much better. When we got there around 5.30pm, it wasn’t too bad and I think that it took us about 30 minutes to enter the stadium. And while I was taking pictures of the crowd [from my seat], I realised that a lot of the stadium was still empty including the covered stands and, about 33 minutes into the game, the empty seats began to be filled. So I guess the reason for this was that the entrance to come in was really backed up and this is also because of the searching of [patrons] at the gate.
The other thing I noticed as a security expert is that the screeners were beeping when individuals went through them but no one was checked to see what items they had on their person. So I don’t know how they determined if folks had weapons on them.
And of course on exiting after the game, we went through the same entrance that we came in, instead of some other gates being opened. I guess they don’t get a lot of volunteers like back in the days or they are just about cutting cost and don’t really care about the patrons anymore. They know that our people will always complain and rant about things and, when another event or game is coming around again, it is right back to go through the same madness. Them really good yes.
Both teams played to a 2-2 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868
Wired868: What will be going through your mind when the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) advertises its next home game?
Kirwin: To be honest, I would be attending no matter the situation. But it’s somewhat of a mental toll knowing there’s a possibility you have to endure the same drama again. It sucks a bit of the anticipation and energy from supporters because the focus drifts from football and the players and the support you’ll give, to how horrible the management is to enter the stadium and about trying to recover from that turmoil.
It makes you question your worth as a fan, because your getting into the stadium is not prioritised.
Savitri: I promise not to go to any match again. The worry of my car being towed was too much and instead of ticket scalpers it was TT$50 to park in a soggy, grassy spot. The Hasely Crawford Stadium has outgrown it’s usefulness.
Brian: I would definitely be thinking about their lack or organisation skills for our next home game because it was piss poor. But to be honest, I’m enjoying what [Soca Warriors coach Stephen] Hart has done so far. So I would go [to the game] no matter what.
Mango: That was my last game going to the Stadium unless they make it much easier to enter and exit when the game has concluded. Them really good yes.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
For whatever it is worth, Griffith promised a better experience for fans at the next football event.
“Yet again there are over 8,000 persons very upset and rightfully so,” said Griffith, “and simply because some decided to do their own thing, override what I had drafted, and cause havoc.
“I can promise you that this would not take place again, and all relevant personnel would adhere to what is drafted in the Operational Policy, and not try to ‘do their own thing’.”
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Editor’s Note: The TTFA’s security consultant, Gary Griffith, responds to Mango’s concern about the body scanners:
“The scanners are designed to trigger from the smallest object to a heavy massive metal object, with five colour coded signals above the scanner. It makes no sense to stop and then search every person anytime the scanner triggers off, as almost every person has car keys, a cell phone, etc. So those were the individuals that would be allowed to enter.
“It is only when it triggers above three lights, that the persons are then stopped, as it is a metal object above car key/ cell phones, so this is the alert to then search those persons.
“If we were to search everyone at every signal of the scanner, then each person would be searched and they would then probably have entered an hour or two after the game.”
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Lasana you can’t compare cricket with football. A man hit a four and is noise. A man out is noise. Long time when a man get a beat on the football field is noise. That hardly happens now
The fact that GG have the wuk you know this will not end well. Everytime I see him at the HCS I does get upset. Strutting like a peacok while chaos reigns.
He did say the plan was over-ridden by someone in TTFA.
The guy asked for your keys and cellphone…which he held and gave back to you once you went through the scanner. ..which was beeping off the charts..but with everyone in the line cussing. .they were just letting you through
Lasana Liburd… dem men on follies. .it had ONE ..I repeat ONE scanner at the entrance I entered and I believe there were TWO..I repeat TWO entrances… for what 18000 people?…dem on follies
That is what i do reach for 5
Besides the horror show of the entrance and exit…the stadium staff were fully aware of the state of the field. Rain also fell heavily that day. So it was fair that they chose to not allow the teams use of the field before kickoff. Why did someone not have the foresight to rent at least 4 light towers so the teams can have a proper warm-up. International teams warming up in near darkness….that looked horrible. Then you get into the stadium…the field events cage is still up,obscuring the view from some seats. Simple things like these we cannot even get right.
Excellent point.
The groundsmen/stadium staff have to work within terrible constraints. there is more money involved in feeing than i sports in T&T. The rental of light boxes has to be the job of the TTFA The grounds were in terrible condition and almost unsuited to hosting the game from reports. There is no money to maintain existing grounds but the government is set to build another in Tarouba…
We like it so
It was a minor miracle that we got a playable surface at all.
Editor’s Note: The TTFA’s security consultant, Gary Griffith, responds to Mango’s concern about the body scanners:
“The scanners are designed to trigger from the smallest object to a heavy massive metal object, with five colour coded signals above the scanner. It makes no sense to stop and then search every person anytime the scanner triggers off, as almost every person has car keys, a cell phone, etc. So those were the individuals that would be allowed to enter.
“It is only when it triggers above three lights, that the persons are then stopped, as it is a metal object above car key/ cell phones, so this is the alert to then search those persons.
“If we were to search everyone at every signal of the scanner, then each person would be searched and they would then probably have entered an hour or two after the game.”
Yes, but even when that is?was not a problem we are too reserved, a few drums etc. We are hardly a 12th man in the best of circumstances. Teams don’t feel intimidated when playing in Trinidad. That has to change.
Chandani Boodoo you made a post about us being a 12th man. But this is the problem with that right here.
We need to change the culture and have our own unique way to support the team. Opposing teams are supposed to come here intimidated because of the crowd. I think part of it is because Many trini see most of their football on TV in the comfort of their homes and therefore are very reserved.
The thing is our cricket crowds know how to support their teams. I always wondered why our cricket supporters can do it and our football supporters can’t.
Is it that our football fans have a lower self-esteem? In that they just don’t believe in their team as much?
Some of the people have to change the way they think my crew and i making noise supporting our warriors flag waving . A woman to the back sir your group making to much noise , I had to take a deep breath and nod ok mam . and we continue did not look back.
That’s crazy Eugene. If they want to say you’re blocking, well that’s one thing. But making noise?
Yes making noise some of them need to watch the game on T V
“We like so” in my best Sparrow voice
I eh boycotting….I just watching on tv
I am not condoning the nonsense that took place but once this country is playing I will try my best to be present. I can’t boycott any game involving my country
Last game there was a little boy with his mom and I actually took him and put him on my shoulders as I was afraid for him …. we just not learning …I not beating up…I home….with meh squad. ..beers and alcohol ….snacks and replays
Simpke really….I eh going again. …simple. .. I went through the nonesense for the US game and after reading a release from the TTFA that same would not happen I ventured to the Guatemalan game. To make things worse I felt like I was in Saudi as I couldn’t even buy a beer…I’m home from now on…can’t continue to support nonesense
This is why I stay home and watch on tv
…..and the ppl who are awarded the contract for games at the stadium are not being pulled up enough.
It has happened for 3 games in a row!
Hear nah…..Trinis d GREATEST inno….is how many matches now they doing this one entry rubbish with a crush of people waiting hours to get inside? And every time for the usual 9 days people rant and rave on FB and calling in on radio…TTFA make some jokey statement…..next game same thing….guess what Trinis do?! Allyuh LOVE it so oui……
Wouldnt say love it so…I would say that some like me love our country and love to support our sporting teams. Its not the players fault that the sporting administration is poor. So what you saying, I shouldn’t have gone to see a legend like Lara because the WICB incompetent?
Some people harden inno and only learn by the bug stick method. Bet if people boycott 1 game because of that rubbish and they make $0.00 they stop that rubbish….but we know the trini way…..useless whiny complaining that solves nothing….then proceed to patronize again….rinse and repeat….
Over and over this happens and it will happen for the next game as well because no one is accountable! No one gets fired yet we foolishly believe that things will miraculously get better in Trinidad.
Lasana breds….some people really good yes….Gary is as real with security as it gets….
That’s why I stopped going altogether….
I like the availability about the change in ticketing. Not the actual ticket itself.
I’m not too sure I wanna chance his change in policy nah. If I do, I’m not paying for a ticket, for sure. The TTFA have to give me a free ticket to go to any match
If this continues I’ll have to view my matches live on the Flowsport channel.
You either have to take time off work and subject yourself to blazing sun, intermittent pelting rain, or annoying consistent drizzle for three odd hours or you could reach after 5pm and take jamming.
Those are the options in 2016.
???
And after all that yuh can’t even get a flipping beer when yuh reach inside.
I came from the East. I left late but never experienced so much traffic and it started just before the beginning of the Beetham and not a police in sight. I think the tickets from the Lotto outlets is a good idea .
The last game was way more organized where entry into the stadium was concerned. Everyone entered by Lions using about four or five lanes, females separate from males. Complimentary and covered stand holders walked around and uncovered stayed right there, no big stress. This foolishness this time where only covered stand persons by the outside field was a mess, rain was falling and it had one little tent . Everybody trying to fit under it so nobody moving, even the Guatemala fans had to suffer there too. Sadly, there were persons there who did not realize it was only for covered stand only so they had to run out in the rain to get to the other side. This is at 5.30 pm. Then when the machine start going off they asking persons to empty they pockets ….all this is while standing in the rain….yes, in the rain, to remove CHEWING GUM…yes…GUM as that was not allowed in the stadium. They were searching bags for that.. not GUNS.
Why gum? To protect the posh seats? 🙂
One positive to take away from this… the availability of tickets from lotto outlets…
Fin
Did you see how those tickets looked though? Hope we don’t have problems with copying tickets in the future.
Well they would have to change the lotto machines cuz I think it’s the paper loaded into the printer and I’m doubtful that they would set up special printers to print the tickets at the lotto outlets… in any case… I was more basing my comments on the ease of access…. I remember my mom going down by the stadium for Bahrain tickets and she had to fight her way to the booth… at the same time I had friends in skinner park trying to get thru… it was a matter of who reach 1st would buy my ticket!… we move up from that… however the actually ticket itself… well that leaves alot to be desired… i was afraid I would throw it away by mistake so I gave my wife yes!! Haha
Hahaha. But, yes, it would have been easier to get which is definitely a plus.
Lasana Liburd d vendor say to we, try yuh bess and doh get dem wet- in fact copy dem!
Arlene… WHAT?! Seriously?
This is not new Lasana Liburd for the USA game I was crushed trying to get in… nothing has changed from then to now… kick off is 7 pm I get off work 530pm leave my office in central get stuck in traffic on wrightson road reach the stadium 645 and missed nearly the entire 1st half… shame from USA game to now nothing has changed..
The St Vincent game was apparently better. Wasn’t the USA game actually worse?
But this looked really bad. How can people take their families? That is a rough decision yes.
Lasana Liburd St Vincent game didnt have the amount of person like the USA and Guatemala game
Ppl with tickets left and went back home… Gregory Aboud was behind me and he and his family left with valid tickets…I am sure others did cause they came with children it is beyond ridiculous because I have not been to a game since the USA game because of that.
Just today my principal telling me he had turn back because of the traffic to get in
These ppl don’t experience what an ordinary person has to do to get in and come up with some (sarcastic) brilliant idea and say they have a plan.. I need to get some media accreditation and go through the easy gate yes.
So who was the idiot that did his own thing and failed miserably?? Ewing Davis?? Gary accustomed to naming names..but like he is afraid to lose out on the next game so he is being uncharacteristically quiet…Name names na Gary!! Ewing if it was you, apologize to the fans na..why is it so hard to just own up to stuff boy?? Steuuuups!!
As much as I wanted to support my team,I suspected that getting to and from the stadium would be a bit much for me on Friday night.It’s just as well because I would have been caught in this nightmare created by some jackass.
Is Like clockwork, we can always count on the TTFA to frustrate fans… This is the very reason why for every game, I get to M. Towne around 4pm, take a lil sip by Ruby Tuesday and walk across to Stadium 5pm. Then buy a lil nuts from “Alyuh buy nuts from meh nah” drink a beverage and sit and wait till game time… My wife always watch me like I’m crazy when I tell her game is 7pm, and I’m going to Stadium 3-4 hours prior..
Lol. I hear you Adam. I usually aim for two hours before myself, although I ended up running a little late on Friday and got there around 6pm instead. It’s rough man. People have to think twice about taking their children, for instance, and that’s a real shame.
What a trainwreck….
And what is with this whole one entry point business? It just seems like a lazy solution and ends up being a security risk to patrons. It does make yuh feel like cattle being led to de slaughter. Then yuh have to be careful yuh doh bounce yuh foot against de metal barriers dat appear out of nowhere when yuh get close to de ticket scanning area. Another thing are those narrow, narrow turnstiles. The stadium definitely needs an upgrade. It’s almost 35 years old now.
If they want to continue this one gate nonsense, they have to put down those metal police barriers from the bottom of the street leading all the way up to the turnstiles.
So you get in a line from that point. At the bottom of the street. Then there wouldn’t be a mass of bodies trying to fit into these narrow turnstiles at the entrance at the top of the street……steups!!!
Is Like clockwork, we can always count on the TTFA to frustrate fans… This is the very reason why for every game, I get to M. Towne around 4pm, take a lil sip by Ruby Tuesday and walk across to Stadium 5pm. Then buy a lil nuts from “Alyuh buy nuts from meh nah” drink a beverage and sit and wait till game time… My wife always watch me like I’m crazy when I tell her game is 7pm, and I’m going to Stadium 3-4 hours prior..
I heard that 45min before kick off it was a breeze to get in
We will forever be 3rd world with these clowns in charge
Leaving the stadium after the game was another piece of stress also. Traffic backed up in the worst way.
Btw I still have my “ticket” as a souvenir as I simply managed to walk past the police and scanning personnel with no questions asked. Reached in with 40 mins gone.
Link Meh!
Plan on reading this later but just wanted to say that I can’t express how livid I was to go through that bullshit AGAIN. It’s as if they really don’t want the support. It’s absolutely insulting to the fans and I can only imagine that it will get worse for the hex. Jesus Christ.
I suppose if they have little concern for coaches and players, then I understand what they think about fans. It is sad. I can only hope they buck up out of pure shame.
Exactly. But I really believe shame is not even in the picture at all. It was a shameless scene yet again.
po
It’s distressing to see parents struggling with their children in such an environment. Dey does end up becoming irritable and sweating like dogs. Older folks does be under pressure. Doh talk for those with physical disabilities. A couple of de “security” organizers should subject themselves to entering the stadium with the rest of patrons, so they can truly see and feel how their masterful arrangements works. It’s almost as if they are asking for a disaster to happen first before anything meaningful is done to alleviate the nonsense.
They and their friends and family move first class. Same thing with politicians. If more of them tried City Gate every once in a while, the whole country would be better off.
What I cannot understand is that they go to foreign stadia and see how they operate so why can’t they implement proper systems.
Reservation system . Seat numbers , sections and rows. We’ve decided that’s rocket science .
I just don’t think they care enough about the fans.
To be honest it isn’t a TTFA job . The stadium is run by SPORTT so it’s up to them to upgrade the seating system . Very very simple considering we can only hold 24 000 people . Once that system is in place then the TTFA can easily sell tickets and ensure fans can come to the game 5 mins before kick off and get their seat without the hassle
The seats were numbered before Cheyenne. It was numbered at the last facelift. And the TTFA did not implement that system you referred to.
Numbering the seats wouldn’t help this situation we encountering.
They need to open up gates, have more lanes for people to enter, and more scanners.
But I agree to sections, rows, and numbering system
Over and over the same nonsense and you want a different result. Who hires these people? different government different people hired, yet its the same outcome. Must be the institutions where the blind is leading the blind. Regardless of everything the security firm got paid. People question why Trinidadians don’t attend and support the boys, is this repeated incompetence and frustration that fans have to undergo
Recently went to the Maracana for the Semi Final match between Brazil and Honduras in the Olympics. I was in my seat with little hassle. A stadium that holds close to 80,00 people….here in T&T that cyar happen cuz we special…..steups!!
And one more thing. It took me 1 hour to get from the Stadium to where I was staying……..I credit mass transit for that one…..
Steups again!!
And the security checks are done.
What was (if anything) learnt post 1989??
Nothing!!
Exactly!!!!
Why you keep quoting the man Lasana Liburd steups
Lol. Because he was working at the game and is the TTFA’s security consultant.
So no one else you cudve ask? The secretary self.
You don’t understand Paula Paulene. He RAN the security. There is nobody better to answer the question. It is his responsibility.
I understand. But Steups still
Lol
It took 1 hour and 15 mins to get in pressure
Them really good yes lol
Maybe if you allow parking in the Savannah and parkcade with shuttles it would be easier. Uptown person park at the Savannah and those downtown and coming into town via the beetham at the parkcade. Further to that they can ask the Anglican Church to use their carpark. So when you buy your ticket you get your shuttle pass and parking pass. That way your car safe and you are driven to the stadium and back to your car. That way you easy the traffic around the stadium. That’s my two cents
That would help drivers a whole lot. But they would still need to address the problem in getting in and out of the stadium.
Although Gary obviously believes he can sort that out.
Actually if it’s an official shuttle you won’t need to worry checking at the carparks all the security checks done there so you actually avoid the need for the gates
Hmmm. I understand what you mean. That’s an interesting idea. So you check people before they board?
I have been to a fete once that used shuttles and did that. And it really was very smooth. 20,000 people would be a much bigger test. But very interesting idea.
Last year i went Washington to see Chelsea play Barca. 90000 persons with easy access to get in and the stadium empty in 10 minutes. TTFA have to stop hiring their incompetent friends and families. Game after game we cant get this right…waste of time
Just when I thinking about flying in for a game in the Hex…. why are things always so difficult and backward….
You don’t trust Gary’s word? Lol. To be fair, Kirwin Weston said it was much better against St Vincent and the Grenadines and there was a decent crowd then.
In short, no. I just can’t seem to understand why most of the gates aren’t open like they were when I was younger….
Just looking at that line is scary. I remember the horrific stories from the US game where people came with their families and were stuck between thousands of people for well over an hour. They couldn’t get in and they couldn’t leave.
SVG game was well managed well. Much smoother sailing.
This game wasn’t as bad as USA game. But I cannot understand why they just don’t open the damn gates !!!
Like Aaron Pollard just said. You can go to most pro games here in the US and you are in within 15 minutes. Makes no sense for that kinda of nonesense to happen. Could it be a matter of not enough equipment and manpower?
Just two entrances open and they want to do all their searches there with four people. I think that is the crux of the matter right there.
They don’t care about fans. Up to know you can’t even get season tickets to support the team for an entire campaign.
But then they don’t even care about past players.
Hell, they barely care about current players!
It could be they cheap on manpower to scan tickets and manage gates. That’s a Trini mentality.
But it’s only 3 games this year…how much could it really cost man.
How much could it cost to get your fans inside early. Now we see a trade off
The trade off is the tickets sold l, money made, and to hell with the fans. Fans will get in whenever, ticket sales money #received
I remember in the 80s most if not all those Gates were openned. Is cheap they cheap
What is d excuse for the arrangements after the game?
Actually only 2 games. USA was last year
This is when incompetent people are put in charge of sport…when will we learn eh Kern George? Just today we talking about this smh
TTFA spokesman told Andre Baptiste live on his program the night before that they had only sold 8,000 tickets. I think there is a disconnect between how information was communicated between VIA and the TTFA because it leads one to think that over 10,000 tickets were sold on the Friday
That’s easy to believe with a new ticket seller. Hopefully the TTFA gives us match day information soon.