Fifa Cracks Down On Illegal Ticketing

FIFA has stepped up its crack down on illegal ticket sales for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by appointing a special team from its Legal Affairs Division to work closely with international authorities to monitor the internet for such illegal offers and to take action to combat them.

While genuine tickets are sold online exclusively via the official website FIFA.com, various individuals are taking advantage of the great appeal of this event by trying to use the internet to sell tickets they do not possess.

Many unauthorised operators are exploiting the popularity of the tournament to lure unsuspecting fans across the world into purchasing illegitimate or unauthorised tickets and/or ticket-inclusive travel packages.

FIFA and its ticket handling partner MATCH are warning consumers about any unauthorised ticket sales and the risk of purchasing fake tickets, which would result in the buyers not being able to access the stadium.

One of the measures FIFA has taken to prevent forgery will be to print the official match tickets only a few weeks before the event in South Africa in 2010.

FIFA is also working with the Police Central e-Crime Unit of New Scotland Yard in the UK in the fight against unauthorised ticket resellers operating via the web.

As part of a major operation orchestrated by the Police Central e-Crime Unit targeting all unauthorised online football ticket resellers, New Scotland Yard is shutting down websites selling unauthorised 2010 FIFA World Cup match tickets in violation of UK anti-touting laws.

Fans who are set to travel to South Africa can obtain tickets via FIFA.com, through inclusive travel packages from Participating Tour Operators selected by FIFA, and by buying FIFA-approved hospitality packages.

MATCH Hospitality is the only entity which can offer guaranteed match tickets coupled with stadium hospitality benefits.