Chaos at Al Bidda fan fest before World Cup opener

DOHA : Chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha on Sunday an hour before the kick off of the opening World Cup match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador after organisers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct.

The venue has a capacity of 40,000 but at least double that number of people tried to make their way in and for a long time many were let into a holding area between the main festival park and the perimeter entrance.

Police realised the problem and had to shepherd irate supporters back out of the venue.

"It was dangerous," one fan carrying a child aged nearly four, who had exited the holding area, told Reuters.

"They let too many people in. We never made it into the main area and I was glad to leave."

The police took about 45 minutes to clear the excess fans from the area.

Frustrated local fans, volunteers and media were visibly upset with police, but supporters of other countries appeared more understanding.