NEW YORK (AP) — FIFA is under new scrutiny over sky height world cup They claim that ticket prices and sales strategies forced fans into a worse deal than they had hoped for.
The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey, which will host eight matches including the World Cup final, announced Tuesday that they are investigating whether FIFA’s ticket sales practices violate consumer protection laws.
They have sent a subpoena to soccer’s world governing body, demanding information on a range of ticket sales issues, including FIFA’s use of a “floating pricing” model that has inflated ticket prices for most matches, and redrawn stadium maps that they say have moved fans farther from the pitch.
The attorney general said the company is working with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and is primarily focused on ticketing operations for games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“New Yorkers have waited years for the World Cup to be held in their backyard. They deserve a fair chance with affordable tickets,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “No one should be manipulated into paying exorbitant prices for a seat, and fans should be able to trust that they will receive the tickets they purchase.”
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport accused FIFA of turning the act of buying World Cup tickets into a conundrum of “confusion, false scarcity, and incredibly high prices.” She said it is an honor for New Jersey to host the World Cup, “but this event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.”
FIFA declined to comment.
The World Cup will begin on June 11th in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico. The first game at the approximately 82,000-seat MetLife Stadium (temporarily renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium for the event) will be played June 13 between Brazil and Morocco.
Some seats for the finals on July 19th are Approximately $33,000.
Last week, the mayor of New York Zoran Mandani announced that 1,000 tickets (approximately 150 for each game at MetLife Stadium, excluding the final) will be offered to city residents at $50 each through a lottery system.
FIFA has previously $60 ticket It is available for all matches and distributed through the national federations of the teams participating in the match.
