FIFA slashes World Cup ticket prices – reports

World football body FIFA has cut ticket prices for South Africans in a bid to allow the hosts to fill the stadiums during Africa’s first World Cup in June, media reports said on Saturday.

According to the Saturday Star, FIFA has slashed the price of at least 30 percent of category 2 and 3 tickets, which cost up to 840 rand ($A120), to 140 rand.

“We made it clear right from the start of ticketing that tickets would be recategorised at a later stage,” the statement said.

The local FIFA organising committee could not be reached to confirm the announcement.

Local fans had expressed unhappiness about the high cost of tickets and the rigid online application process, which has resulted in low sales in the country.

On Thursday FIFA chief Sepp Blatter, said he was worried that ticket prices were scaring away fans for the world’s largest sporting event and asked tour operators to cut costs to help fill stadiums in South Africa.

About 450 000 international fans are expected to visit the country for the June 11-July 11 event.

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