VIDEO: Irate customers and threat prompt cancellation of cricket match showing in Mississauga: Cineplex

A video that shows customers screaming at Cineplex movie staff over a cricket match screening in Mississauga has circulated widely on social media.

A Cineplex official said the June 9 incident caused theatre staff to call police and cancel the showing. It reportedly happened at the Cineplex Cinemas Courtney Park during the live screening of a highly anticipated International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan.

It appears the men were angry because the live screening was delayed.

The short video, titled “Meanwhile at Cineplex Courtney Park,” starts with a man shouting loudly at theatre staff as a number of people crowd around a concession counter.

It is difficult to clearly hear what the man is saying and it is not clear why he is angry, but at one point he shouts: “You don’t understand what is going on!”

“You don’t understand the significance of this game,” another man says, pointing to his cricket jersey. “You can see that. This is crazy, you know.”

Staff members attempt to speak to the patrons as the screaming man gets more irate.

“We can burn this whole thing, you know,” the angry man says.

The video was posted to TikTok by @employees_right on June 10.

There are dozens of comments decrying the bad behaviour of the customers.

“There is Absolutely No Situation that it is okay for you to Yell n Scream at an employee @ their job,” one person wrote.

The movie theatre decided the threat was real and took action.

“The cricket match was a a live event and it was delayed due to rain – a circumstance outside of our control,” Cineplex vice-president of communications Michelle Saba told insauga.com in an emailed statement.

There was a 36-minute rain delay for the June 9 match, according to news reports.

Saba said Cineplex staff offered customers who wanted to leave a refund.

“Unfortunately, guests became irate and there was a threat, which caused us to cancel the screening and contact the police, who arrived onsite to help manage the situation,” Saba said.

Peel Regional Police confirmed officers were called to a movie theatre on Courtney Park Drive on Sunday, June 9 around 11:30 a.m.

The call was in response to a large group that was upset at theatre staff, police said in an email to insauga.com.

“Police spoke with all parties involved and determined a minor dispute had occurred,” police said. “Once the matter was de-escalated and resolved, the movie goers left without further incident.”

There were no injuries reported and no charges laid.

Saba added that Cineplex aims to provide a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests, but also for employees.

They have a code of conduct for guests on their website.

The live cricket matches were to be shown in 19 cities across Canada, according to a Cineplex press release.

International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup is being held from June 1 to 29 in the United States and the Caribbean.

“Cineplex is thrilled to bring cricket fans together to see the matches on the big screen with big sound,” Matt DeVuono, executive director, event cinema, Cineplex said in the May 31 press release. “Fans can cheer on their favourite teams from the best seats in the house, close to home.”

@employees_right Meanwhile cineplex cinema courtney park #indvspak2024 #highpressure #match #t20worldcup ♬ original sound – employees_right

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. to include a comment from Peel Regional Police.