Morocco fans hoping to watch their country’s historic World Cup semi-final with France were left stranded on Wednesday morning after their national airline cancelled all flights to Doha.
Qatar has welcomed a swell of Atlas Lions fans backing their team throughout the tournament but local authorities have reportedly blocked flights scheduled to carrying more fans into the country.
A statement from airline Royal Air Maroc (RAM) said: “Following the latest restrictions imposed by the Qatari authorities, Royal Air Maroc regrets to inform customers of the cancellation of their flights operated by Qatar Airways.”
The Qatari government's international media office did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Royal Air Maroc had previously said it would lay on 30 additional flights to help fans get to Qatar for the World Cup semi-final against France but on Tuesday, Reuters were told that a RAM travel agency said only 14 flights had been scheduled.
The cancellation of Wednesday's seven scheduled flights means RAM was only able to fly the seven flights on Tuesday, leaving fans who had already booked match tickets or hotel rooms unable to travel.
RAM said it would reimburse air tickets and apologised to customers.
The RAM spokesperson and Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
