FIFA is warning soccer fans to beware of fraud online ticket sales for the 2010 World Cup as it creates problems for international agencies to address.
“Many unauthorized operators are exploiting … unsuspecting fans across the world into purchasing illegitimate or unauthorized tickets and/or ticket-inclusive travel packages,” soccer’s global governing agency said in a statement.
Official tickets will be printed only a few weeks before the tournament kicks off.
The agency commended efforts by British authorities to shut down Web sites selling fraud tickets. Efforts are under way to implement more crackdowns worldwide and more needed.
One way of ensuring legitimate sales is buying tickets from FIFA’s Web site or through its partner, MATCH, the agency said.
The World Cup will be held next summer in South Africa.
