The box office staff had allegedly ‘misinterpreted’ instructions from police
The management of sports ground Adelaide Oval has apologised to the public after reports surfaced that staff members were turning away indigenous Australians from a sporting event.
Adelaide Oval said the employees had misinterpreted instructions from the police to prevent inebriated patrons from entering the premises during an Aussie Rules football match.
A representative from McArthur Recruitment, which hired the ticketing staff, explained police and other security personnel were managing the crowds, so the box office employees halted selling tickets to the patrons.
“Security returned to the box office after the incident to reiterate their instruction not to sell tickets to a number of people that they pointed out to box office staff,” the representative said.
South Australia police said they were on hand to help oversee the situation since some patrons were “clearly intoxicated,” the BBC reported.
“Police at no time made any direction to the ticket sales employees about the sale of tickets,” police said.
One of the ticket vendors, however, claimed a box office supervisor had told staff “not to sell tickets to any more Aboriginal people.” The seller said she was forced to lie to the fans that the game was sold out. She resigned a day after the incident.
“It is extremely disappointing that a supervisor in the ticketing office misinterpreted a message from police and didn’t follow established protocols that would have clarified the situation,” said Darren Chandler, General Manager of Operations at Adelaide Oval.
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“We are unequivocal in our stance that everyone is welcome at Adelaide Oval and we condemn discrimination in any form. We apologise to anyone affected and have taken steps to ensure this situation doesn't arise again.”