The Soccerphile World Cup 2002 Archives Click here to go to the current Soccerphile.com
15/2/2002
R. Sanborn Brown
In an attempt at preventing a reoccurrence of the fiasco in France 1998 — in which many Japanese fans bought expensive tour packages that included tickets for Japan's games only to arrive in France and never receive the tickets from suspect French travel agents — FIFA has banned the resale and transfer of all tickets for the Korea/Japan World Cup. Only registered (i.e., FIFA-controlled) sales are permitted; travel agencies will not be sent a single ticket. However, in spite of the above, tour packages that include tickets to games are currently being marketed and sold. Although it was supposed to be "intrinsically impossible," two Japanese travel agencies have tickets and are now offering various "courses" for soccer fans.
Travel Oita is, for example, offering a two-day, one-night tour for 570,000 yen ($4,400) that includes a ticket to the Japan-Belgium game. The agency has a total of 600 tickets for sale as part of tour packages. According to its President Kunihiro Watanabe: "We have bought the tickets from reputable foreign sellers. Our company's clients had no trouble during France '98. The tour applicant's name will be printed on the ticket, so this does not constitute either transfer or resale."
Another agency, Seria of Tokyo, purchased tickets from the South Korean allotment and is selling tours of games in both Korea and Japan. The names that appear on the tickets, however, will not be the same as the name of the tour applicant. According to a company representative, "If in the event of the worst case scenario—being denied entrance to a match—Seria bears no responsibility." Among the many tour packages the agency is offering, one is a seven-day, six-night deal that includes tickets to two quarterfinal matches and a semi-final for 520,000 yen ($4,000). Seria has 200 tickets for sale. The company also plans to market a tour package that includes tickets to the Japan's games.
The Japan Organizing Committee for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (JAWOC), however, is now threatening legal action. One JAWOC official said, "In order that the fans could attend the matches at reasonable prices, we have sold tickets directly to the consumer. It is regrettable that the tickets have been used for business purposes. We plan on taking all available measures, up to and including legal action."
The Soccerphile World Cup 2002 Archives
Click here to go to the current Soccerphile.com
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