Zinédine Zidane was supposed to be the star attraction at the Multiverse Swiss Expo this weekend in Geneva. And he was — just not in the way fans expected. Invited as the guest of honor at the pop-culture event, the 1998 World Cup champion showed up, but the day quickly descended into chaos, leaving supporters angry over what they called false advertising and poor organization.
The organizers had promised “unique moments with Zidane,” a “timeless experience,” and even a match against the public. Those promises drove massive ticket sales, with VIP passes going for up to €1,300. But the reality was far from what fans imagined.
Zidane did play a match — but against the women’s team of Servette FC Chênois, not against the crowd. Worse, the autograph session and Q&A event were cancelled, sparking outrage among those who had traveled long distances just to see him. Some shouted “scam” and demanded refunds after waiting for hours in vain.
“We were supposed to get access to a private lounge and lunch, but the staff had no idea where to send us,” complained one father, who had paid €1,300 to attend with his two sons.
A child was crushed against a barrier
According to La Tribune de Genève, around 50 complaints have been filed. Event organizer Nabil Djaafri defended the decision, citing safety concerns: “As soon as Zidane appeared, a child was crushed against a barrier. We didn’t want to be the first event to send a kid to the hospital. So we changed our plans.”
Despite the chaos, Zidane reportedly took over 300 photos with fans, surrounded by about 15 bodyguards. But the atmosphere quickly became tense. “Some people jumped over barriers. I even saw a father throw his child toward Zidane,” Djaafri revealed.
In the end, the Q&A was scrapped “to protect the public, especially the children.” But for fans who came from across Europe, the disappointment was huge. Zidane was there — just impossible to reach.
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