FIFA, the governing body of world football, has been accused of a massive ticket scam involving the sale of $400 million worth of tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil..
According to a report by the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, FIFA sold tickets to a company called Match Services AG, which then sold them on to fans at inflated prices. Match Services AG is owned by two Swiss businessmen, Philippe Blatter and Jerome Valcke, who are both close associates of FIFA President Sepp Blatter..
The report alleges that Match Services AG sold tickets for as much as 10 times their face value, and that FIFA received a cut of the profits. FIFA has denied the allegations, but the report has led to calls for an investigation by Brazilian authorities..
The ticket scam is just the latest in a series of scandals that have plagued FIFA in recent years. In 2015, FIFA was rocked by a corruption scandal that led to the indictment of several top officials. Blatter himself was forced to resign as FIFA President in 2016..
The ticket scam is a major blow to FIFA’s reputation, and it could further damage the organization’s ability to host major events. The World Cup is the most prestigious event in world football, and it is essential for FIFA to maintain the integrity of the tournament..
The ticket scam has also raised questions about the future of the World Cup. If FIFA cannot be trusted to run the tournament fairly, then it is possible that the event could be moved to another country..
The ticket scam is a serious problem that could have far-reaching consequences for FIFA and the World Cup. It is essential that FIFA investigates the allegations fully and takes action to prevent similar scams from happening in the future..
