FIFA files a ‘complaint’

GENEVA, June 5, (AFP): 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,” world football’s governing body said in a statement.

“Over the past months, FIFA has received numerous complaints from individuals, consumer protection bodies and other market players over the opaque and deceptive business conduct of Viagogo AG,” it added.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

FIFA noted that in seeking legal action it was joining other sports bodies, including UEFA, which has previously taken Viagogo to court.

The European confederation stepped up its battle against secondary ticket sites ahead of the Euro-2016 tournament, when it established its own online resale platform and asserted that no one but UEFA could legitimately sell match tickets.

Austria’s Dominic Thiem returns the ball to Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their quarter-final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium on June 5 in Paris. (AP)