A pair of World Cup final tickets has risen to more than £1,000 on eBay, the internet auction site, an illustration of the excitement and concern that will dominate the next seven months. Fifa has already warned supporters to “steer well clear of such offers,” but England’s confirmed participation in Germany next summer both heightens anticipation and raises security issues.
Qualification for the latter stages of a tournament that can be reached in comfort from these shores will spark a frenzy for seats that the games’s authorities will struggle to control. Fifa has already sold out its allocation of block tickets for England’s group matches, leaving fans with few legitimate options if they wish to see Sven-Göran Eriksson’s side in live action.

The FA, which will be granted only 8 per cent of what Fifa terms “purchasable tickets” for every first-round game, will begin the sales process once the draw for the finals is made on December 9. Applications will be accepted only from the 25,000 members of englandfans, the official supporters’ club, of which membership is capped and, in any case, demand is certain to outstrip supply.

Posted: 10|10|05 at 7:47 am. Filed under: UK News.