The importance of getting the logistics right was plain to see in Canada yesterday as fans were kept waiting until 30 minutes after kick off in the Women’s World Cup clash between France and England.
The tournament has got off to a great start. 53,000 people saw Canada beat China in the opening game on Saturday. That was the largest crowd that has ever seen a Canadian National team live.
TV audiences have also been strong but the problem yesterday was that Moncton, a University stadium in a city of 150,000 in New Brunswick, seemed woefully unprepared for a large crowd.
The France against England game was of obvious interest to fans in a country with allegiance to both countries but fans complained of there being only one gate open for fans and of having to queue for over 1km to get close to the ground.
France won the game 1-0 in the end. The Official FIFA website for the Women’s World Cup made no reference to the queues.
