[ 2013-12-17 ]

FIFA on black market 2014 World Cup tickets alert
Around 130 companies are being investigated for
selling 2014 World Cup tickets on the black
market, with football’s governing body Fifa
claiming that some are being offered with a
staggering 300 percent mark-up.

Match Services AG, which is the Fifa-sanctioned
commercial outlet, confirmed reports in the
Brazilian media that some 130 companies and
operators are under investigation for offering
unauthorised deals.

Some of these already face judicial action in
their own countries.

Match Services AG has indicated it was aware of
companies offering packages on the black market at
vastly marked-up prices.

Their legal counsel Imran Patel said: “We are
seeing a huge black |market, with prices of up to
300 |percent above face value”.

Tickets for next year’s World Cup are available
solely via the Fifa website.

Match Services, which is offering VIP packages,
many to companies, had indicated prior to last
week’s World Cup draw that it believed around
100 firms were seeking to scalp punters.

However, they claim they have since uncovered
evidence of 30 more cases.

According to the daily Estado de Sao Paulo,
authorities in Costa Rica had already fined four
agencies in the country for claiming they could
offer packages to fans wanting to follow the
Central American team at the event.

A dozen Mexican operators have been issued with
warnings to stop, while consumer protection
authorities have launched legal action against
six. Other unauthorised operators are at work in
several other countries, including Australia and
China.

Patel said Fifa is aware which firms are involved
and is ready to take legal action in Brazil where
necessary.

Source - Ghanasoccer

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