The states of New York and New Jersey are investigating the process used by FIFA to sell tickets for World Cup games, which begin next month, following complaints from buyers who say they did not receive the seats they paid for.
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host eight matches, including the tournament final in July. New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said Wednesday that they had issued subpoenas in an investigation into FIFA ticket prices at the stadium and whether fans were defrauded.
“New Yorkers have waited years to see the World Cup in their own backyard, and they deserve a fair chance to purchase affordable tickets,” James said in a statement. “No one should be manipulated into paying huge prices for seats, and fans need to trust that the tickets they buy will be the same ones they receive.”
James and Davenport claim that FIFA’s initial seating chart for MetLife called for four distinct zones, but that the entity created new sections after some fans had already purchased their tickets. Those buyers would have been relocated to seats further away from the field or behind the goals, even though they had originally purchased closer seats, the attorneys general said.
The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the tournament, which starts on June 11th. It is the first time the USA has hosted a World Cup since 1994. FIFA expects to raise US$11 billion in revenue from the event. Fans and local authorities have been criticizing the high ticket prices to watch the matches.
“New Jersey is excited to host the World Cup and welcome fans from around the world, but no one should be allowed to exploit fans in our state or those who come here,” New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said in a statement.
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A FIFA spokesman declined to comment.
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