Would you let your 10yo travel to Istanbul for the Champions League final?

[Bluemoonmother]

DS's dad will want to take him to the game. I know children do travel to these matches but I'm nervous about it. He's been to UK matches but travelling to Turkey for such a high stakes match concerns me. I want him to be safe. AIBU?

You clearly think all men are capable and responsible enough to look after their child safely in such a situation

That's simply not true sadly

Istanbul will be mayhem, unless dad is very experienced with travel and sensible I wouldn’t be comfortable

You're unreasonable to think he wouldn't be safe and that the match will be marred by violence.

This is a UEFA Champions League Final showpiece and most of the crowd will be Man City/Inter Milan fans as the clubs both get generous amounts of tickets to sell to their own fans.

Turkey will not want any negative publicity from this. They've held Champions League finals before, e.g. Liverpool won it in Istanbul in 2005, IIRC.

Hypothetically yes. But not given the situation with his dad

I wouldn't go, no.

But I'm a Leeds United fan.

No

YANBU in your situation, @Bluemoonmother . You've said you don't particularly trust his dad and they've not been away together before. That's grounds enough to say no. The football doesn't even need to factor into it.

I'd say that his dad needs to work with you to build up trust and then gradually build up to be ready for bigger holidays by starting with smaller ones.

I wouldn’t have a problem with Istanbul per she. I used to live there. But it sounds like this is nothing to do with the location and everything to do with OPs issues with Dad.

Yes. I’d 100% allow it.

I think it depends on the dad though. If he was likely to get into a fight, was a drinker, wasn’t a competent traveller etc then I wouldn’t let him do to any match let alone one abroad!

No don’t let him go.
have you seen how Inter Hooligans behave abroad?

Maybe do some research on the Inter Ultras…

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/05/italys-football-wars-death-of-the-uncle-led-to-ultras-walkout

and FYI I have been to matches in Italy and wouldn’t take a child. The Italians have not been able to control the hooligans like the Brits have.

No, Turkey has a murderous reputation when it comes to football violence.

I’d let my DH take our DS because I trust him
completely, he wouldn’t be drinking and I know if DS were upset or scared he’d leave immediately. If this wasn’t the case then I wouldn’t let him go.

How has he got tickets? Are they legit? It feels a bit odd that a parent who has never taken their kid away suddenly wants to do an expensive and not easy trip with him.

my son has been travelling with my husband to Champions League final for quite some time. They went to one in Ukraine before the war when he was younger than 10. but the thing is I completely trust my husband with his safety - I know he would put my son's safety above all else including missing the match if he felt for some reason it was too dangerous. I think the key for me is you don't trust your ex and he has never travelled abroad by himself with your son - so no I would not give permission for that.

Yes. Once in a lifetime opportunity to be there for City's first Champions League win(probably) and massive bonding experience if they're both City fans.

@Twilightstarbright even the most sensible parent can’t rely on thousands of other football hooligans to make the right decisions. have you ever been to an international match? The roads around the stadium will be crowded with international fans who didn’t get tickets. No idea how you think you can quickly get away when it’s dangerous.

i also don’t believe the dad would fly to Istanbul and then leave mid match if son was scared.

I can also guarantee you that some Inter hooligans will be trying to beat up British fans. That’s part of the match for them.

No, I wouldn't.

I would, probably safer than some home games (I've been an away fan at Millwall, once, never again)

Absolutely I would.

what an experience , I hope they have the best time x

All the Inter hooligans in Istanbul will be very quiet and just go to bed if Inter loses. They definitely won’t roam the streets looking to cause trouble. No they are known for immaculate behaviour especially abroad.

Thousands of other football hooligans ?!

no there’s a few that think there still back in the 80s but it’s certainly not 100s never mind thousands.

Do you anything about Italian football and their hooligan problem? Thought not @AnonymousA1

Remember he's 10 not 2, and a child is less likely to have bad behaviour directed against them and (most) parents are less likely to drink or engage in risky behaviour that might cause issues like a brawl

, I’ve been to studio olimpico and the Allianz stadium. My brother was at inter/ac. Yes there are more idiots there than at the New Den but nothing like the drama you are creating.