Inter have released a statement on the 1,000 fans not allowed into the Estadio do Dragao for the Champions League game, calling it a ‘unilateral decision by FC Porto’ that left supporters in a dangerous situation.
Circa 1,000 fans had purchased tickets legally for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, but despite mediation with help from UEFA, they were still not allowed in because their seats weren’t in the away end.
Instead, they were corralled into a tunnel and left there increasingly cramped for the entire first half, at which point the gates were shut.
“FC Internazionale Milano expresses the utmost solidarity with its fans, who came from all over Europe with legally purchased tickets for last night’s game, Porto-Inter, and were denied entry to the Estadio do Dragao.
“Following the unilateral decision from Porto, many Inter fans, including numerous families with children, were segregated in a containment zone close to the away section and held there for the entire match that they were not allowed to watch, leaving them open to serious conditions of tension and potential danger.
“FC Internazionale Milano ask UEFA to intervene, to shed some light on what happened and ensure that situations like this, which contrast with the key principles of sporting fair play, equality and inclusion, are never repeated again, to defend all fans, regardless of their football faith and nationality.”
Eye witnesses all gave the same story last night at the Estadio do Dragao, specifically that they were not openly ‘banned’, instead frustrated and taken for a ride by the stewards.
They were repeatedly told to go to Gate 19, which is where the away section was located, but then not allowed in because their tickets were for different gates.
Some told they were sent back and forth four times until they were eventually corralled into that tunnel, all with no explanation.
By describing this as a ‘unilateral decision’ from Porto, Inter are putting the blame squarely on the host club and not UEFA.