DISAPPOINTED FANS SELL TICKETS BUT AT A PRICE

MOSCOW: Across the street from Fifa’s World Cup ticket office here, a man says he’ll demand a “cheap price” for his ticket to Wednesday’s England-Croatia semi-final — just $1,500, double the official cost of a seat.

He knows he is breaking the law, but the man from Colombia says he purchased the ticket expecting his team will get further than the last-16.

“I don’t need the ticket, that’s why I’m selling,” the man said, declining to give his name, although he still had his World Cup fan ID slung around his neck, meaning he had been vetted and cleared by the Russian authorities. Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation that banned the resale of World Cup tickets. Offenders can face a fine of up to 25 times the original price of the ticket.

ENGLAND FANS MAKE LATE DASH

LONDON:Dozens of English soccer fans began heading for Moscow in a last-minute rush on Tuesday in an effort to be part of a potentially historic sporting moment as England take on Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals.

Taking advantage of extra match tickets released by organisers, FIFA, and additional seats provided on Moscowbound flights , they converged on London’s Heathrow airport with hope in their hearts.

“It’s been crazy here in England, really exciting. Now I want to go and see what’s going on in Russia,” said a fan, Michael Roberts, 27, as he waited for his flight.

Another fan, Bradley Goldenberg, 46, was taking his son to share the moment. “Whether we win or lose, we’re creating history,” he said.