PM steps into ticket dispute

PRIME Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday his government will intervene in the sale of World Cup Finals tickets amid allegations of cronyism and price gouging against a leading football official. PM Manning's comments came in response to complaints that the sole agency selling World Cup tickets in Trinidad was owned by FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner who is a Special Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. That connection prompted allegations of unfair practices among fans eager to watch their national team play in their first World Cup Finals in Germany this year.

“The Government has to respond to all of the calls we’ve been having from the national community, people who have supported football from the inception to now who wish to go to   Germany and are prepared to make their own arrangements,” Manning said. Warner's agency, Simpaul’s Travel Service Ltd., offers a US$4,785 travel package that includes tickets for three matches, hotel accommodation for 12 nights and team souvenirs, according to Simpaul's website. Tickets cannot be purchased separately.  Fans who don't want the package deal may purchase tickets directly from FIFA. The most expensive tickets for all three of  Trinidad's first-round matches would cost a total of US$363,  according to the FIFA website.  But the tickets are only sold to winners of a FIFA ticket lottery.

PM Manning said he was waiting for a report on the matter from Roger Boynes, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. Warner acknowledged during the press conference on Tuesday that he owned Simpaul’s, which has exclusive rights to the country's allotment of World Cup tickets. He said the criticism was personal and political. “It is not a crime to be successful, even for people like me,” Warner said. Earlier yesterday, fans were up in arms over the ticket situation. “This reeks of cronyism. There is clearly a conflict of  interest here,” said Trevor Sebastian of Chagunas, 35, who owns a clothing store. “Why should someone with such a high position in   FIFA be the only one selling tickets?”  Others said the price was too high.

“I will just stay home and watch the matches on TV,” said Elaine Pickering of Arima, a 25-year-old office clerk. Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors play Sweden, England and Paraguay in the first round of the World Cup, which starts June 9 in Germany. Home to just one and a quarter million people, Trinidad and Tobago will be the smallest country taking part in the finals. It is the fourth Caribbean team to reach the finals following Cuba in 1938, Haiti in 1974 and Jamaica in 1998. (AP)