10/04/2006

Legislation targets World Cup ticket touts

New legislation has been launched to target World Cup ticket touts ahead of this summer's event in Germany.

It is now a criminal offence for anyone in England and Wales to re-sell tickets for any games throughout the tournament.

Previously, it had only been illegal to sell tickets for England's group games, leaving a loophole for touts to sell tickets for games in the later stages of the tournament.

Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said that ticket touting legislation covering football matches was "a necessary public order measure" in order to ensure the segregation of supporters.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick said that the closure of the loophole should lead to a better tournament for England fans travelling to Germany this summer. Mr Barwick added that it had been "extremely frustrating" to see online ticket touts selling tickets for the later rounds of the competition.

According to reports, three tickets for the World Cup Final in Berlin had been sold on eBay for £2,201.

The new legislation will apply to any future FIFA or UEFA tournaments in which the England or Wales national team or senior clubs from both countries will be eligible for participation.

The World Cup kicks off on June 9. England's first group stage match - against Paraguay - is the following day.

(KMcA)




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