Iran Loses 8% World Cup Ticket Allocation Days Before 3 Group Matches
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 9
Iran Loses 8% World Cup Ticket Allocation Days Before 3 Group Matches
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 9
Summary
Iran's football federation said FIFA revoked its group-stage supporter ticket allotment just days before the World Cup, after the federation had already started selling seats to fans who made travel plans.
The FFIRI said each federation is entitled to 8% of tickets for its matches and called the move a breach of equality rules, pointing to non-sporting and political interference.
Iran open against New Zealand on 15 June, then face Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles and Egypt on 26 June in Seattle at the U.S.-Canada-Mexico tournament starting Thursday.
The ticket dispute adds to mounting access problems: Iran shifted its base from Arizona to Tijuana on 25 May, must fly into the U.S. on matchdays, and said 15 staff were denied U.S. visas on 6 June.