Fifa president Gianni Infantino has defended World Cup ticket prices, insisting that football's global governing body was obliged to take advantage of US laws that allow tickets to be resold for thousands of dollars above face value. The statement comes as fan groups have called the prices a 'monumental betrayal', with many struggling to afford the costs.
The criticism has been directed at Fifa, which collects a 30% cut on resale markets. This has led to accusations that the governing body is profiteering from the high prices, rather than prioritising affordability for fans.
In an interview, Infantino claimed that Fifa was simply 'following the market' and that the prices were a reflection of the high demand for tickets in the US. However, this argument has been met with scepticism by many, who point out that the prices are unaffordable for many fans.
The issue has sparked a wider debate about the commercialisation of football and the impact of high prices on fans. While Infantino and Fifa argue that the prices are necessary to fund the costs of staging the World Cup, critics argue that the costs should be borne by the governing body, rather than being passed on to fans.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Fifa will respond to the criticism. However, it is clear that the issue has sparked a major backlash among fans, and that the governing body will face significant pressure to reconsider its pricing strategy.