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GUADALJARA, Mexico (AP) – FIFA on Friday blamed empty seats during World Cup matches. Korea and Czech Republic<\/span> In Guadalajara, fans watched from the concourse.<\/p>\nThe 45,664-seat Guadalajara stadium was notable for its many empty seats, with many empty seats in the middle section of the stands and other empty seats scattered throughout the venue. The announced number of attendees was 44,985. FIFA President Gianni Infantino.<\/span><\/p>\n“Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and the number of spectators present on the stadium premises, rather than a visual assessment of seat occupancy at a particular moment during a match,” FIFA said, adding that it works closely with stadium authorities and ticketing teams to ensure that all published figures are based on verified operational data.<\/p>\n
“Please note that during last night’s match in Guadalajara, several ticketed fans were seen standing in the concourse rather than remaining in their assigned seats during the match,” world soccer’s governing body said.<\/p>\n
Indeed, there were quite a few fans standing on the concourse and near the concession stands during Thursday’s game.<\/p>\n
There was also a vacancy in Toronto.<\/h2>\n
Toronto’s stadium was nearly full on Friday. Canada’s first World Cup match on home soil<\/span>but there were a few empty spots, especially those near the field in the lower bowl and in the high corners of the temporary seats.<\/p>\nWith an official capacity of 43,036, Toronto Stadium was the smallest venue in the tournament and additional seating had to be added to meet FIFA’s minimum standards. The number of attendees announced Friday was 43,002.<\/p>\n
It’s a busy sports weekend in Toronto, with the Blue Jays hosting the New York Yankees and the Canadian Open golf tournament about an hour away.<\/p>\n
FIFA demands record price for tickets to this year’s World Cup<\/h2>\n
FIFA is setting record ticket prices at 11 stadiums in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. The soccer organization uses dynamic pricing and has repeatedly increased prices since tickets went on sale last fall.<\/p>\n
Infantino on Wednesday defended those prices as being in line with the North American market, but has been criticized for having list prices that reach five digits.<\/p>\n
before the tournament begins on Thursday. 29 games sold out<\/span> (Some wheelchair seats available) There were 75 tickets left.<\/p>\n___<\/p>\n
Associated Press writer Lexi Linderman in Toronto contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP World Cup coverage: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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