World Cup Fan Park future in doubt
Typical. Bristol is hosting one of the two Hyundai fan parks for the world cup which is ace. A massive screen in Queens Square for fans to watch the matches. I went to watch the match on Saturday afternoon and it was a really good relaxed atmosphere.
I read that the hosting of these screens is being monitored by Fifa and the behaviour of fans will go towards the 2018 bid. Looks like we won't be hosting the world cup any time soon.... This is why i'm not a fan of football. There are always a bunch of cnuts who end up ruining things.
Bristol screening of England's next World Cup match in doubt
The barriers break as fans celebrate England's goal at the Hyundai Fan Park in Queen Square on Saturday night, where England's game against the United States was shown on a giant screen.
THE screening of England's next World Cup match in Queen Square could be axed after problems at the first game on Saturday.
Bristol City Council says although it wants the big screen showing of England v Algeria to go ahead, it cannot guarantee it.
Deputy chief executive Jon House told the Evening Post the council was concerned about a small minority who caused problems at the USA match last weekend.
But traders who have set up stalls at the event to sell fans food and drink are dismayed at the prospect of the screen staying dark for England matches, which are bringing them the lion's share of their business.
On Saturday evening, security stewards allowed 8,000 people into the park but stopped well below the 11,000 capacity due to problems in the bar area inside and with the fans outside, who were putting pressure on the security fence.
The gates were closed about an hour before the match, leaving hundreds of disappointed fans wondering why they could not get in when there appeared to be plenty of space inside.
Part of the fencing came down when Steven Gerrard scored England's only goal of the match, four minutes into the game.
City council officials were due to meet with senior police officers today to make a decision on whether the screening of Friday's match can go ahead, following a number of meetings yesterday reviewing how the event was run.
If the Algeria game is shown, a ticket-only entry scheme is being considered, as well as more police and security on site.
Alcohol sales on site are also due to be looked at.
Mr House said: "We have been reviewing the event on Saturday with the police and with the events team.
"Our concern is that while a very large number of people who turned up were positive and very well behaved, there were a very small number of people who caused problems in the bar area and around the outer fences.
"It is always a balance. We will review the number of security staff, the policing and the appropriate level of resource.
"Ninety-five per cent of the people turned up to watch a good football match but it is always difficult to legislate for a small minority who want to cause trouble.
"At this stage we are making plans for Friday but we can't guarantee that will go ahead.
"We are very keen for it to go ahead but we want to make it safe."
Mr House said if the Friday game goes ahead the council would look at more bins to deal with rubbish left by fans.
There was criticism of the way the event was organised on the Evening Post website yesterday, from people who had gone to Queen Square on the night.
Adam, of Clifton, said: "I didn't expect such poor organisation from the organisers who obviously have little experience in such events. Very disappointed."
But there was also praise for the organisers from some, who thought they did well in difficult circumstances.
Tom, of Bristol, said: "Considering this is the first of its kind in Bristol I think a very good job was done.
"I am sure they will make changes, learn from the mistakes and make it better each and every time."
Traders said the cancellation of the screening of Friday's England match would make them reconsider staying at the site.
They said they were relying on the England matches to make any money from their stalls at the event.
Only about 200 people turned up last night for the match between Italy and Paraguay, which meant business was very slow for the stallholders.
Sidharth Sharma, who runs the Thai Food stall, said if the England match was not screened, then they would have to reconsider staying there.
Joan Nutt, who runs Brunel's Buttery with her husband, said: "A few people were coming in over the fence but apart from that, I didn't see anything.
"I didn't see any trouble or any nastiness. I thought everyone was very excited but well-behaved."
Laurence Hamilton-Baillie, who works for the Spyglass floating restaurant which has a stall, said: "It would be devastating – not just for us but all the traders – if the screening does not go ahead on Friday.
"On Saturday, business was fantastic for us all day. The majority of people had a fantastic time."
He said in his opinion, the police made a mistake by refusing entry for some people when there was still capacity inside the fencing.
"A few got in through the fence but there were not many of them. In any case, most of them were caught by the security guards," he said.
The free fan park is one of only two such areas in the country and was set up at a cost of £80,000.
There were bigger issues at the other screening, in Manchester, with four men arrested after fights broke out in the crowd.
Police stressed that while there were a large number of people in attendance in Bristol on Saturday night there were only two arrests.
Spokeswoman Catherine Foster said: "Avon and Somerset police have not been directly involved in the planning of these screenings.
"They were organised by Bristol City Council in partnership with Hyundai.
"But as with any events involving large numbers of people, we would provide a visible presence and would respond to any incidents of public disorder which could threaten the safety of members of the public."
Hyundai spokesman Tom Barnard said: "Hyundai sponsored the Fan Park so we could help bring the excitement of the World Cup to football fans and families in Bristol.
"Safety will always be our primary concern and we will leave decisions about showing the England games to the experts in the police and council."
Reply With Quote
Re: World Cup Fan Park future in doubt
Originally Posted by SiE
Social Networking Bookmarks