TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has defended her attendance at England's World Cup quarter-final match against Norway, stating she was "very, very lucky" to receive a ticket from the FA. The "Location, Location, Location" star found herself the target of online criticism after sharing her experience of watching England win 2-1 in Miami.
Social media users accused Allsopp of taking a ticket that could have gone to a "genuine fan," with some questioning her commitment to football. One comment read, "Stealing the chance for a genuine fan to watch. Pretty shameful really," while another stated, "Normal fans are completely priced out of it, whilst cretins off TV who couldn't care for football the other 364 days of the year can afford to go."
Allsopp, who was seated near David Beckham and his family, explained that she was invited as a guest and described the experience as "magical" and "absolutely amazing." This was her first international football match, and she found the atmosphere in the stadium to be a completely new and captivating experience.
Her passion for international football, she explained, originated from a meeting with the late Sir Bobby Robson in India when he managed PSV. This encounter sparked her interest, leading to her strong desire to attend the Miami match after watching England's previous victory over Mexico.
Allsopp secured the invitation through a friend on the FA's board. She also highlighted her attendance as a guest of Debbie Hewett, the FA's first woman president and a FIFA vice president. Allsopp expressed gratitude for the opportunity, calling the FA an "amazing organisation."
Despite the trolling, Allsopp remains optimistic about England's chances in the tournament, believing they have the mentality to win. She noted the team's strong chemistry and the country's support as key factors. She added that while she won't be attending the semi-final, she might consider attending the final if England reaches it, though she acknowledged the extreme cost and difficulty of obtaining tickets.