There were further security issues at the Rugby World Cup at the weekend when fans were involved in crushes.
In scenes that echoed England’s opening match of the tournament against Argentina in Marseille, the Red Rose supporters were once again caught up following their game with Chile.
According to the Daily Mail, after fans sought to get the tram back into Lille, that led to crushes and caused one woman to faint.
World Rugby have already apologised following the encounter at the Stade Velodrome on September 9, which saw people miss the start of the match due to ‘potentially catastrophic’ issues outside the stadium.
Overzealous security
Security has been criticised throughout the World Cup for being overly officious, with them focusing on controlling crowds rather than helping them.
Meanwhile, supporters were also shocked to see a balaclava-clad sniper on a gantry at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday.
“It was a total disgrace to get into the stadium – genuinely scary and dangerous – in a crush on a super steep set of steps,” one fan told The Telegraph after England’s win over Argentina.
“The only saver was a rugby crowd being polite because it could have been catastrophic if people had charged the gates.”
There were other issues at England’s encounter with Chile as The Times’ deputy rugby correspondent Will Kelleher was “physically removed” while doing an interview with Henry Arundell.
“Absolutely disgraceful behaviour here by the heavies in the mixed zone at Lille,” Kelleher wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I have been physically removed during a Sunday paper interview with man of the match Henry Arundell, while I was speaking to him.
“This World Cup has been an utter shambles.”
Kelleher then went on to clarify that it was the French World Cup organisers, and not the RFU, who acted that way.
Consistent theme
Kelleher was backed up by the Daily Mail’s rugby union correspondent, Chris Foy, with him suggesting that those working at the venues have been regularly out of line.
“Hostile behaviour from staff at this World Cup now extends to reporters being physically manhandled while doing interviews,” Foy wrote.
“Some of the conduct by people working at this tournament is totally unacceptable. Complaints to follow @rugbyworldcup…”
READ MORE: England player ratings: Historic Henry Arundell gets top marks in Chile rout
The article Rugby World Cup organisers slammed for ‘disgraceful behaviour’ and ‘scary’ crushes appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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