FIFA, police to clamp down on fake World Cup tickets

Football's governing body is working with police globally to crack down on internet sales of fake tickets for next year's World Cup in South Africa, FIFA said on Friday.

The demand for tickets is growing as teams qualify for the world's most-watched sporting event starting in June and increasing numbers of illegal tickets are offered over the internet.

"Many unauthorised operators are exploiting the popularity of the FIFA World Cup to lure unsuspecting fans across the world into purchasing illegitimate or unauthorised tickets and/or ticket-inclusive travel packages," it said.

A special team from FIFA's legal affairs department is working closely with international authorities in South Africa and other countries to monitor the internet and take action against such offers.

"FIFA and its ticket handling partner MATCH are warning consumers about any unauthorised ticket sales and the risk of purchasing fake tickets, which would result in the buyers not being able to access the stadium," FIFA said.

Official tickets would only be printed a few weeks before the tournament, it added.