A "devastated" Liverpool FC fan has lost his season ticket after mistakenly missing the renewal deadline by 12 hours.
Khalil Kawafi has been a Reds fan for as long as he can remember and has held on to his much-loved season ticket for 25 years. However the 58-year-old missed this year's May 24 deadline to renew as he was working away in Germany.
The NHS doctor, working as a stroke consultant in Manchester, said he "completely forgot" about the deadline date and applied for his renewal. Khalil immediately contacted the club after realising he had missed the renewal deadline by 12 hours but was told he had lost season ticket completely.
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Khalil told the ECHO: "I was in a stroke conference in Germany and honestly thought we had until the end of May to renew.
"The club said they would have to take it to the managers to decide whether to renew. I don't understand why that should be, I contacted within 24hours to say I made a mistake.
"I've had my season ticket for 25 years, I go to every cup game, league game and every final. I'm pleading with them. I got an email saying I've had plenty of chance. I thought I'd lose it for a year but the bombshell was I've lost it altogether. They wouldn't even offer me the year holiday."
Khalil said the season ticket meant more to him than football, it was his "way of life" as Anfield is "like my church".
He said: "After 25 years of service, always on time, always renewed and now this. I didn't realise I'd lose my ticket completely. I lost track of time, had other things on my mind, it was a mistake I admit that.
"It's a way of life for me. I've travelled around the world, paid ridiculous amounts on hotels to be there for my team and you're dismissed."
Khalil, who lives in Manchester, said he gets a lot of grief for supporting Liverpool but wouldn't have it any other way. He said: "I'm known in work as the main Liverpool doctor.
"I'm so invested emotionally to the club. I'm walking around like a bereaved person, I'm suffering with grief. It's a decision made for you.
"It looks like all the doors are closed and I'm begging for my ticket back."
The ECHO understands that Liverpool Football Club will review the individual case and look into Khalil's claims.
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