FIFA Member Sold World Cup Tickets on Black Market says Brazil Police Chief

A member of FIFA has been said to have sold millions of dollars worth of World Cup tickets on the black market according to a Brazilian police chief.

The member of football’s world governing body is reported to be an “intermediary from Match Hospitality,” FIFA’s ticket agency.

Police commissioner Fabio Barucke said they are still trying to identify the suspect, and that the person is believed to be staying at the luxury Copacabana Palace where some of FIFA’s hierarchy are staying.

The Brazilian police force arrested 11 people accused of illegally selling tickets, with some reported to have been obtained through the FIFA member.

These tickets are supposed to be reserved for sponsors, federations, players and other partners.

Barucke has called on “FIFA’s assistance,” with marketing director Thierry Weil adding that FIFA “is fully supporting the local authorities in their investigations into ticket scalping and any illegal sale of FIFA World Cup tickets.

“FIFA and the local authorities will ensure that any violations will be sanctioned accordingly.”

Barucke confirmed that original suspect Mohamadou Lamine Fofana was no longer on their list and added: “After his arrest, we realised there was someone above him from FIFA with an intermediary at Match Hospitality.

“We want to identify the last link in the chain, from the ticket touts at the stadiums, right through to those who are above Lamine Fofana and who passed the tickets on to him.

“We have indications that at least one person from FIFA passed on tickets to Match Hospitality.”

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has claimed he has no knowledge of the investigation and told Estadao: “I don’t handle tickets. I handle politics.”

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