Empty seats at low-key matches to be probed by Fifa

Football bosses are to investigate why thousands of ticket-holders failed to show for two matches in the opening round of group games at the World Cup over the weekend.


The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth was half-empty for South Korea v Greece epa02198168 Overall view during the FIFA World Cup 2010 group B preliminary round match between The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth was half-empty for South Korea v Greece

Swathes of empty seats could be seen at Saturday’s South Korea v Greece game in Group B and yesterday’s Algeria v Slovenia match in Group C.

Prices were slashed for less attractive matches but transport problems might be to blame for the no-shows.

‘We asked for a system to be put in place,’ said Fifa’s Nicolas Maingot.

'Apparently, that has not completely worked.'

Issues of empty seats at African internationals have been a problem in the past - especially at Cup of Nations tournaments where locals have struggled to pay the asking price for tickets.

However, Fifa specifically addressed the issue with tournament organisers in South Africa in the hope of avoiding half-empty stadiums that would create little or no atmosphere at the world's biggest sporting tournament.

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/830807-empty-seats-at-low-key-world-cup-matches-to-be-probed-by-fifa