Gordon Brown criticises Fifa's 'extortionate' ticket pricing
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an inquiry into World Cup ticket prices after accusing Fifa of ripping off fans. Speaking to the Press Association in Glasgow ahead of the Scotland v Brazil match, Brown said ordinary football fans were being 'priced out' of the game due to the 'extortionate' prices.
Asked if Fifa is ripping off fans, Brown said: 'Yes, I think something's got to be done about this. There's got to be an inquiry afterwards. You can't have football at its best if you price ordinary fans out of the game.'
Comparison with Euro final ticket prices
Brown highlighted the disparity in ticket costs, noting that the price for the World Cup final is 'about 30 or 40 times what the price was for the Euro final in Germany.' He added: 'These are extortionate prices. It's got to change. They've got to have tickets that are available to ordinary families at a reasonable price, and I think what we need is an inquiry afterwards.'
Officials in Boston have also faced widespread criticism for transport ticket prices during the World Cup, with trains costing fans 80 US dollars (£60.40) rather than the usual 20 dollars (£15.10).
Fifa's revenue and grassroots football
Brown argued that the money Fifa makes should help teams and players starting out, stating: 'Too much money is held by Fifa, not enough is getting to the ordinary game down at the grassroots.'
The Giffnock-born politician also expressed hope for Scotland's chances against five-time World Cup winners Brazil, recalling past encounters in 1982 and 1998. He predicted either John McGinn or Scott McTominay would score, noting McTominay's overhead kick against Denmark that helped seal World Cup qualification.
Praise for the Tartan Army
Brown praised the Tartan Army's conduct in Boston, where he witnessed their 'fantastic' impact. He described the atmosphere among Scottish fans as 'amazing,' despite long queues and high drink prices of 18 dollars (£13.70). He added that the Scots 'drank Boston dry' and cleaned up afterwards, becoming favourites in the city. Glasgow is now set to be twinned with Boston as a result.
Fifa's response
A Fifa spokesperson defended the pricing strategy, stating: 'At Fifa, we are committed to ensuring fair access to the Fifa World Cup for both existing and prospective fans and have offered group stage tickets starting from just 60 dollars – an extremely competitive price for a once-in-a-lifetime major global sporting event taking place in North America.'
The spokesperson added that Fifa's pricing strategy spans a broad range of price points and categories, reflecting market demand. They noted that 130,000 tickets have been made available priced at 60 dollars across the tournament via participating teams, including over 1,000 for the final. The resale marketplace provides a safe, transparent environment for fans, with fees aligned with industry standards.
