Raging Scottish football fan ‘banned’ from watching Euros as ‘he has no smartphone’

A disgruntled Scotland supporter has accused UEFA of discrimination for requiring fans to use a smartphone to enter Euro 2024 matches.

Marc Twynholm, 58, who has secured a ticket for Scotland’s group game against Switzerland in Cologne, is worried he’ll be denied entry as he’s been unable to download the necessary app. Attendees have been instructed to get the ‘UEFA Mobile Tickets’ app, but Marc doesn’t own a mobile phone and isn’t keen on buying one.

Despite numerous emails exchanged, UEFA has yet to provide him with an alternative way to access the event, and time is ticking as he prepares to fly to Germany soon.

Marc, employed at an escape room in Falkirk, expressed his frustration to the Record: “UEFA’s slogan is incorrect. It suggests that everyone is welcome to participate and support their team, but this is not the case when it comes to their policy to have only smartphone ticketing.”

“For Germany, only those who own a smartphone are welcome. Everyone else is not welcome, unless they have a ‘buddy’ who can share their fan pass and tickets.”, reports the Daily Record.

“Unfortunately, I am travelling alone and do not own a mobile phone, let alone a smartphone, and therefore am being excluded from following my team.”

Having followed the Tartan Army for over five decades, Marc is devastated by the prospect of missing out on the Scotland game due to this issue.

Marc, a ticket holder who lacks the required app for a free 36 Hour Travel Pass on matchday, expressed his anxiety about potentially missing this benefit.

He voiced his frustration saying: “I asked UEFA to help me and they said contact us in May. Then they said contact us when you get your tickets through, so I did. Since then I have had no reply with now just days before the opening game.”

His predicament worsens due to the uncertainty of accessing games without a fan pass, he added: “It is likely that I will have to upgrade my train tickets at a cost because I cannot show the fan pass on a phone I do not own – and it is uncertain whether I will even get into the matches if a help point isn’t available at the stadiums.”

On the lack of contingency plan, he mentioned: “In essence the short-sightedness to have zero backup plan is quite honestly mind-blowing and I can see many instances where it will cause problems during the tournament.”

Remaining optimistic that UEFA would provide some assistance he hopes: “Hopefully they will see sense and find the answer, which I would guess will be to pick up a ticket at the ground itself. If not I’ll have to watch from the fan zone.”

Reflecting on his present conundrum, he disclosed it has changed his outlook: “It has made me re-think what I can and can’t do – including supporting Scotland, by attending the matches, rather than watching it on TV. I foresee a future where air travel, money and access etc will be restricted to those with the appropriate app, and for those for whatever reason, choose not to own smartphones.”

Expressing his belief on technology integration in society he affirmed: “I’m not against technology per se, but we are surely not at the stage where we are telling people if you don’t have the ‘correct’ smartphone technology then you are not a welcome member of society.”

The Daily Record reached out to UEFA for a comment.