June 13 – Ticket touts were reported to have done a roaring trade outside the Stade de France yesterday but spare a thought for a young German fan named Christian who was actually trying to sell his four tickets for BELOW the asking price.
“I bought them for my family who decided they didn’t want to come,” said Christian as he pleaded for takers. “People pass by thinking there must be something wrong when I say I want less money.” One can only hope he managed to offload them.
BYO food for thought
Security checks at the media entrance to the Stade de France were noticeably tighter than usual – and rightly so. Anything metal was scrupulously inspected and each laptop opened by staff in the search for suspicious hidden items.
But staff turned a blind eye to reporters and cameramen taking in their own food – a nice touch given how much media restaurants at these kinds of events normally charge for the likes of a simple coffee or sandwich.
Though to be fair prices have kept relatively affordable at Euro 2016 judging by the fare on offer at the opening game.
Sniffing out the rogue reporters
Still on the subject of security, sniffer dogs were out in force at the Stade de France – even paying a rare visit to the media centre a few hours before kickoff. As far as one knows, none of the journalists present suffered the humiliation of being questioned or detained.
Andrew Warshaw is roaming France. Contact him at moc.l1714991043labto1714991043ofdlr1714991043owedi1714991043sni@w1714991043ahsra1714991043w.wer1714991043dna1714991043