No way to treat dedicated football fans

On Sunday, May 4, a couple of friends and I went to the National Stadium at Ta' Qali to watch our favourite team Valletta play Floriana. A local derby.

As we approached the ticket booths at the Millennium side we could see a crowd of about 400 people pushing desperately to buy their tickets from the three small windows of the ticket booths available. There were also women with children in this crowd. It was a pitiful sight.

The time was 4.15 p.m. and the word had spread that the Valletta side of the enclosure was full. So more and more people were coming to the Millennium side.

It was a struggle, but we managed to get our tickets. Once inside, we noticed that only part of the Millennium side was open, and this was filling up fast.

We found dirty seats in the scorching sun, and hoped that we would still enjoy the afternoon. We could clearly see that the Valletta side of the enclosure was packed and people were also standing in the passageways. I wondered who would be responsible in case of a tragic accident.

Fifteen minutes into the first half, and people were still coming in and complaining about the struggle they had just faced to buy their ticket.

It was hot, so it is inevitable that one would get thirsty. But trying to get drinks during half-time from the bar was another sorry event. Ten minutes into the second half we gave up. Although the area under the tiny scoreboard was eventually opened to the public, the bar was not open.

The year is 2008, and we are part of the European Union, our football association is affiliated to UEFA and FIFA, and yet the decent fan who follows his favourite team is treated in such a miserable manner.

Is it any wonder that crowds are diminishing fast from Ta' Qali? It's bad enough having a comic system (Championship and Relegation pools) imposed on our Premier League. To be treated in such a disgusting manner justifies why fewer and fewer people are attending matches.

Is there anybody responsible for our local football? Come on, speak up.