Over the weekend, Malaysia battled it out against Thailand in the anticipated Mitsubishi Electric AFF Cup 2022, where just days earlier, it was announced by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) that the tournament was sold out at 59,000 tickets.
Despite this, yesterday they shared that 62,989 fans were in attendance to witness the match, making many question where the extra 3,989 tickets came from.
“Thank you to the 62,989 supporters who attended the first semi-final match of the Mitsubishi Electric AFF Cup 2022, Malaysia vs. Thailand at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, last night (January 7),” FAM wrote.
The massive crowd proved to be a problem as netizens complained about others sitting in their assigned seats, forcing them to sit on the stairs. Some even pinpointed that arguments had broken out among the supporters due to this issue.
“There’s just 1 thing I want to say. I brought my child to expose them to a football game, to support our country. Other people also brought their children, some had babies, but a lot of people were sitting in others’ seats instead of their own,”
“It’s a pity that many were sitting at the stairs, it’s dangerous as people will be moving up and down. It was so heartbreaking. To those who are reading my comment, the people who took others’ seats, please go back to school and learn some manners and the consequences of stealing the rights of others. I am not okay that others were sitting in the seats belonging to me and my child that night.”
“Congratulations, Malaysia. I hope that after this, those attending will sit at their own seats. Do not take other people’s seats. This mentality has to change. Don’t get angry when people come to ask for their seats back. Once the seat owners arrive, get up and give way to them.”
“That night the stadium was over capacity. Many were sitting on the stairs because people had taken their seats. Where did all these people come from? If anything were to happen, who will be responsible?”
Others have since suggested a solution to this problem, that future ticket sales should not include assigned seating.
“Next time, buy tickets online, there’s no need to have seat numbers, let it just be open (free seating). Pity the fans who came having to argue to grab seats.”
What would you do should you find someone sitting in the seat you purchased? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
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