Advertisement
Thousands of Irish soccer fans are set to travel to Barcelona for the upcoming qualifier. INPHO/James Crombie

'You will be robbed!' - Barcelona-bound Irish soccer fans warned

People travelling to the city have been told to attempt to avoid a crime wave, which is specifically targeting tourists.

IRISH SOCCER FANS travelling to Barcelona for the team’s upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier against Andorra have been warned that they are set to be targeted by Spanish criminals.

A recently established website (www.robbedinbarcelona.com), has published an open letter to all Irish soccer fans set to travel to the city, under the heading: “Welcome to Barcelona. You will be Robbed!”

The group was established by ex-pats who are fed up with being targets of the recent crime wave in the city and by the Spanish government’s lack of action.

Local gangs have now become involved in the lucrative pickpocketing scheme, which specifically targets tourists.

While the venue for the game has recently been switched from Barcelona to Andorra despite protests from the FAI and their Andorran counterparts, thousands of Irish fans are set to make Barcelona their base for the game anyway.

A spokesperson for the organisation, speaking under the pseudonym Rob Daly, expressed concern about the significant number of people who have been robbed and explained:

“The locals don’t take it seriously because the targets are mainly tourists so it doesn’t affect them directly.”

The website also includes information about the various ways in which tourists’ possessions can be stolen, including ‘The Ronaldinho’ – a method whereby the robber pretends to tackle the tourist football-style and steals his wallet while doing so.

For more information, visit www.robbedinbarcelona.com>

Read: Adel Taarabt did a runner at half time rather than watch QPR get hammered>

Read: Spurs’ win overshadowed by Adebayor, Wenger abuse>


Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Kearney
    Favourite Aidan Kearney
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 7:38 PM

    Have no lessons been learned since Cian O Connor lost the Gold medal! Dont blame the horse.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 8:13 PM

    Irish showjumping is poxed

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victoria Power
    Favourite Victoria Power
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:03 PM

    Please post a link to the statement Denis made on his web site in the spirit of fairness http://www.denis-lynch.com
    The behaviour of the HSI committee is deplorable after the dedication he demonstrated to secure an Olympic individual place. A member of the committee who decided to remove his ratification was the team vet that examined his horse 2 hours before the competition and advised team manager that the horse was sound to compete despite his concerns.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Reynolds
    Favourite Johnny Reynolds
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:17 PM

    If what Denis has said is true, there is something seriously wrong going on there

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adam Pamplin
    Favourite Adam Pamplin
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 9:26 PM

    He shouldn’t even have figured as a contender to go to the Olympics 2012 having been sent home from Beijing in 2008 for the very same thing.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stack
    Favourite Tony Stack
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 9:28 PM

    A bit harsh, it might be naturally occurring, and its within the rules of the horsejumping body. Like the UK rule with Millar and Chambers that was overturned, the national association should not rule like this, as he was not banned by the IOC . Any thoughts on this or am I wrong?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Reynolds
    Favourite Johnny Reynolds
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:03 PM

    What a joke, why would Denis risk it when he’s got one of the best show jumpin horses in the world. Surely, with the amount of money involved in horses, they can come up with a clear test for drug taking. One that shows a very clear difference between natural and artificial hypersensitivity in the horses legs. Seen as he got kicked out last time on disputable grounds, why would he try it again and risk his lively hood. Something doesn’t smell right

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oonagh Fitzgibbon
    Favourite Oonagh Fitzgibbon
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:20 PM

    Disgraceful….heartbreaking for him & his team….read his statement…something v odd going on!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Killian Maher
    Favourite Killian Maher
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:25 PM

    Title should be “Unintroducing Denis Lynch”

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roy Scott
    Favourite Roy Scott
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 10:12 PM

    Pity, wonder of other nations have same issues?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt12
    Favourite Matt12
    Report
    Jul 10th 2012, 5:31 AM
    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scattered Showers
    Favourite Scattered Showers
    Report
    Jul 10th 2012, 12:13 PM

    i think there is something in the wording here.
    why use disqualified instead of withdrawn for health reasons…..
    Other questions are how widespread is the problem of horses being illegally Hypersensitive? How easy is this to administer to a horse and what are the benefits as a result?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.