New World Cup soccer ticket deal

A legal row over sales tactics for World Cup 2006 tickets has been resolved after a deal was struck today between Fifa and the German consumers’ association.

The deal ends requirements that fans seeking tickets had to pay in advance without knowing for months whether they had been successful, and that they also paid a non-refundable fee.

Two Liberal MEPs had complained to the European Commission about Fifa’s arrangements, accusing the organisation of abusing its monopoly position.

Tonight they welcomed an accord between the German consumer association and Fifa to resolve the problem.

The Fifa organising committee had originally offered facilities to buy World Cup tickets on-line, but with strict conditions:

:: Ticket applicants had to pay in advance without knowing whether they would get tickets until the final allocation takes place in February.

:: Unsuccessful applicants would not get their money back until after the tournament next July.

:: All applicants would face a non-refundable fee.

Dutch Liberal MEP Toine Manders said it was a scandal and his German Liberal colleague Alexander Graf Lambsdorff condemned the selling methods as “an abuse of monopoly by the Fifa, adversely affecting the interests of European football fans“.

Tonight Mr Manders commented: “I am satisfied Fifa finally realised that fair play should be used both on and off the pitch.”

Mr Graf Lambsdorff added: “Fifa can no longer abuse its monopoly, which is in the interest of European football fans.” .

After the two had complained to the Commission, the German consumers’ association took legal action against Fifa.

Now, before the final court verdict, a settlement means World Cup fans can cancel their reservation of the “Options-ticket” up until 15 April 2006 and be reimbursed within four weeks without paying an administration fee.

An earlier dispute over ticket sales was resolved after complaints from UK consumer watchdog Which? on behalf of disgruntled UK fans who complained that payment methods were too restrictive.

Unless fans had a MasterCard, they faced paying for tickets by bank transfer in euros – adding pounds to their ticket price in bank charges.

After the intervention of the European Commission, the World Cup organisers agreed to set up sales arrangements enabling UK fans to pay by domestic bank transfer in Sterling.