FIFA on black market 2014 World Cup tickets alert

Published on: 17 December 2013
FIFA on black market 2014 World Cup tickets alert
FIFA cracking down ticket racketeers

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.

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