Government write Football Federation for W/Cup tickets

Roger Boynes, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, sent the request in a letter to Oliver Camps, head of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation on Friday.

"In the circumstances, the Government will be approaching your organisation with a view to acquiring a bloc of tickets for the respective matches as it is the Government’s intention to arrange charters with the national airline," Boynes wrote.

Camps confirmed that his office received the letter, but said he hadn’t yet seen it. He didn’t know how many tickets the Government wanted, but said he had previously told Boynes that anyone who applied for tickets would be considered.

The Government’s request follows a ticket dispute in the twin-island nation, which will make their first trip to the World Cup finals in Germany.

A daily newspaper recently published allegations charging that the sole agency selling World Cup tickets in Trinidad was owned by the family of FIFA vice president Jack Warner, also Special Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.

That connection prompted allegations of unfair practices among some fans eager to watch their national team in Germany.

The Warner family’s agency, Simpaul’s Travel Service Ltd, had offered a US$4,785 travel package that includes tickets for three games, hotel accommodation for 12 nights and team souvenirs, according to Simpaul’s website.

Tickets couldn’t be purchased separately, although fans who didn’t want the package deal could purchase tickets directly from FIFA.

On Friday, the Simpaul’s website offered a travel package for the World Cup that didn’t include tickets, stating: "Match tickets are not included and you must source these directly from TTFF (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation) or via the FIFA website."

Several phone calls placed to Warner on Friday seeking comment were not immediately returned. He has acknowledged that he owned Simpaul’s, but said the criticism was personal and political.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors play Sweden, England and Paraguay in the first round of the World Cup, which starts June 9.

Trinidad, home to one million people, will be the least populated country taking part in the 32-nation tournament. It is the fourth Caribbean team to reach the World Cup finals, following Cuba in 1938, Haiti in 1974 and Jamaica in 1998.