A Costa Rican couple were forced to purchase a ticket for their nine-month-old baby, who was in a sling attached to the parent and would not take up a seat for the West Ham v Arsenal game.
The tourist couple were denied entry to the London Stadium and re-directed to the Ticket Office, where they were told they must buy a ticket for their infant baby despite it not taking up a seat. The couple were bewildered but told they would not be allowed to watch the game unless they paid £41 for a ticket for their baby. This is the cheapest ticket available for a category AA match, equivalent to a band 6 Under 18 ticket.
Babies allowed in to games? Ticket office says yes, web site says no. Confusion reigns.
The incident was witnessed by West Ham Season ticket holder Richard Dodds, whose own ticket on a smartphone was non-functioning on Sunday.
West Ham’s own website says, “All children, including babes in arms, will need a ticket to the match to ensure that every person within the Stadium is accounted for under health and safety regulation.”
In October last year, West Ham Supporter Services made the following statement on social media: “West Ham United supporters must be aware that children under the age of 2 years will not be permitted entry into the ground due to Health and Safety reasons. Ticket holders aged 2 to 15 years must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or above and be seated adjacent in the stadium bowl. Adults must stay with junior ticket holders (2 to 15 years) at all times whilst in the stadium.”
The last statement is made more baffling as West Ham proudly boast on their club website “There are baby change facilities available on each level of the Stadium, these are located at blocks: 152, 145, 134 and 126. There are also facilities available in Club London. All are clearly signposted on the concourse area; however, please ask a steward for assistance if required.”
These statements seem to contradict each other – it is no surprise that supporters are confused.
Start the investigation into another ‘touristgate’. Thought that the FAB had sorted out the selling of tickets to non-believers.
Must agree with Eddie Stone though. A ticket need not have a price!
Would not have happened at Upton Park – even Bobby Moore had to sneak in for free until he was caught and thrown out. Bring back the old days?
i’m all for introducing Kids to football but at the age we are talking about here i just think its wrong…the baby will have no idea what is going on and in an enviroment where adults are shouting etc it would seem to me to be very scary.
A ticket need not have a price!
A complimentary ticket should be issued in such circumstances.
West Ham’s contradictory statements and rule are merely indicative of who Premier League clubs exist for!
What a sad indictment on an already shambles of a club.
The buck does not stop with Sullivan; he IS the buck….
Who was the last Costa Rican player to wear the Claret and Blue?
Wanchope?
Ahhh West Ham Utd the tourist attraction!
In the champiinship….
The owners didnt think this one through…
It doesn’t sound good, and yes it isn’t as clear as it should be, but West Ham are hardly alone in requiring children under 2 to have tickets. Tottenham are another for example, Some clubs won’t allow babies (due to noise levels) and others (Man U) seem to have a policy that depends on the game. Yes it would be good to get it resolved but this seems a little like Ambulance chasing and of course encouraging the press (which hardly needs much encouragement) to run more negative news about the club. Should the club be encouraging ‘tourists’ to bring their infants to games like this?