Hundreds of Moroccan soccer fans are devastated as last-minute flight cancellations look set to put them off traveling to Qatar for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final.
Morocco’s national airline – Royal Air Maroc – had planned to operate seven additional flights ahead of the games.
He made the decision after the Moroccan FA promised to give fans 13,000 free tickets for the clash with France.
But on Wednesday, it said Qatari authorities had suspended the flights.
“Royal Air Maroc regrets to inform customers of the cancellation of its flights operated by Qatar Airways following the latest restrictions imposed by the Qatari authorities.”
It is unclear why Qatari authorities ordered the airline to halt flights, and the government’s central communications office has not yet responded to the JEE News request for comment.
In a post on its social media channels on Monday, the airline offered to operate 30 additional flights as part of an “extraordinary flight schedule” to help fans fly to Qatar.
But affiliated travel agencies later said there would be only seven additional flights.
The cancellation left many fans who had already booked tickets and hotel rooms out of pocket.
The airline offered a full apology and said it would compensate passengers.
Meanwhile, scores of Moroccan expatriates are arriving in Qatar, lured by the country’s FA’s promise of free tickets.
An estimated five million Moroccans live worldwide, many of them in France.
But when fans arrived at the fan centers at the Al-Janoub Stadium – many covered their heads with their Moroccan flags and hats to protect themselves from the heat – the FA promised free tickets. If he could not fulfill it, he became angry.
Zainab Nafti, Supporter, told JEE News that she had traveled from Paris for the game, but could not get a ticket.
“It’s a very symbolic game – it’s Morocco against France and I’m half French, half Moroccan,” he said.
“The problem is that there are no reliable sources. There is no reliable information,” Ms Nafti said. “I’m here with my brother and I don’t know what we’re going to do… I’m heartbroken.”
The clash marks the first time an African team has reached this stage of football’s biggest competition, although their French rivals are heavily tipped by pundits to advance to the final against Argentina.
But Morocco coach Waleed Regragai – who grew up in Paris – says his team is confident, and he “doesn’t want to wait another 40 years for an African team” to shine on the world stage.
