Event security at the World Cup, which kicks off this month in Germany, has been "seriously threatened" by unauthorised ticket sales, according to the latest research conducted by G4S Security Services (UK).

While online auction sites often promote themselves as offering bargains, G4S Security Services (UK)'s study conducted between 1 and 11 April suggests that a pair of tickets for England's match with Trinidad and Tobago at the Frankenstadion in Nuremburg on 15 June sold for £1,500 - a mark-up of 2,307% on the tickets' face value.

Those selling tickets via such web sites in the UK risk prosecution, as the Government has banned the unlicensed sale of any tickets for the World Cup finals.

In some cases, touts are offering tickets for aptly-named ‘phantom' matches not even taking place.

FIFA has implemented a rigorous security system to prevent tickets that have been purchased illegally from being used to gain access. According to the Terms and Conditions of their sale, tickets can only be transferred via application to the Organising Committee of the FIFA World Cup 2006. Each ticket is issued in the name of the applicant or guest specified in the original order. For monitoring purposes, an ID or Passport number is required.

Source

SMT