World Cup: Wales fans miss Iran game over Qatar entry problem

Dozens of Wales fans have been turned away at Dubai airport and have missed the key World Cup game against Iran.

A “glitch in the system” meant that many supporters’ Hayya cards – the permit needed to enter Qatar for the tournament – have not been accepted.

One told BBC Radio Cymru Dros Frecwast that he was one of 13 in a “hellish” situation because he could not board his flight on Friday morning.

He said he expects that hundreds more are facing the same issues.

Hywel Price from Cardiff has been staying in Dubai – like many other Wales fans – and had travelled to Doha earlier this week without any issues for the Wales v USA game.

However, on Friday morning he was told he could not board his flight as the permit was still pending on the app.

He said: “We got up at 02:30 this morning to travel in a taxi to the airport for a 06:30 flight, but when we got there we were told by officials that our Hayya cards had been rejected.

“It’s hellish – there were 13 of us from Wales on that flight having the same issue, and trying to prove that we had been approved to travel, even though the app still said the permit was pending.

“People have had emails saying that their cards were valid, only to find when they get to the airport that they have been refused entry”.

Mr Price said many people are unhappy, especially due to the financial losses.

“I think this must be happening on a much wider scale than what happened to us this morning, and I expect this might continue all morning as more fans attempt to travel over to Doha for the game,” he added.

“The Red Wall will be smaller, I’m sure hundreds of fans might be faced with missing the game.

“It’s not secret that it’s expensive to come out here, we will have lost everything.

“To be fair no insurance company would cover this, it’s the individual’s responsibility to check that they’ve got the paperwork in order. The money will be wasted, the tickets and flights were very expensive.

“With the next game [against England] happening next week, I’m checking the Hayya card all the time, but it still isn’t working this morning.”

A Football Association of Wales (FAW) spokesperson said: “We are aware of the issues and are working closely with the FSA who are looking to resolve issues”.