Gridlock and long queues leave fans entering after kick-off at Colombia v France in Washington | OneFootball

Hundreds of supporters were kept outside the Washington stadium for Colombia v France on Sunday, many entering 30 to 40 minutes after kick-off, two months before the World Cup.

According to L'Équipe, Didier Deschamps had already flagged long airport waits on Saturday, saying he had never seen such checks. France could now review elements of their logistics for the 11 June to 19 July tournament.

Similar problems hit Brazil v France, a 2-1 defeat in Boston that left some fans walking the final kilometre, but Landover’s NorthWest Stadium for France v Colombia, 1-3, was worse.

Entry required security-style checkpoints and, for many, a single slow queue at some gates, leaving large numbers outside as kick-off neared.

One long-time French supporter left two and a half hours early for a half-hour trip, then spent 45 minutes covering 300 metres in gridlock before chaos at the turnstiles.

Frustration rose when staff urged patience even though the match had been underway for about 15 minutes. Some arrived between the goals by Désiré Doué on 30 minutes and Thuram on 41. Attendance was 60,734.

Another supporter felt security was prioritised over efficiency, and advised World Cup visitors to leave at 11 for a 15 kick-off. He paid 80 dollars to park, almost the price of his 89-dollar ticket.

Source: L'Équipe