Cup ticket firm faces criminal charges by FIFA
GENEVA: FIFA on Tuesday said it had filed a criminal complaint against the secondary ticketing firm Viagogo’s sale of 2018 World Cup tickets, opening a new battle between sports organisations and websites seeking a share of their profits.
“As part of its efforts to protect the fans and prevent unauthorised ticket resales for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, FIFA filed a criminal complaint on 4 June 2018 based on a breach of the law on unfair competition against Viagogo AG with the public prosecutor’s office in Geneva,” FIFA said.
LOW PROFIT
GENEVA: The 2018 World Cup has cost Russia billions of dollars to stage and will make FIFA hundreds of millions in profit.
Still, the big numbers that are routine for major sports events are unlikely to set World Cup records. Russia’s official budget of 678 billion rubles ($11.6 billion) spent on projects for the tournament is less than the estimated $15 billion spent by Brazil on the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA will top $6 billion for the four-year commercial cycle tied to this World Cup, beating its $5.656 billion target. That target, however, was conservative compared to $5.72 billion of overall income booked by FIFA in the Brazilian World Cup period.
NEW ZEALAND WIN
MUMBAI: New Zealand registered their first win of the Intercontinental Cup as they defeated Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, courtesy a penalty goal by Myer Bevan.
Bevan scored in the 36th minute when he coolly slotted the ball into the right corner of the net to give 1-0 lead to the All Whites, which eventually turned out to be the match-winner at the Mumbai Football Arena .