Simpaul’s grab W/Cup tickets

Of the 10,749 tickets given to the TT Football Federation for the three matches involving the Soca Warriors Simpaul’s Travel Service as a single organisation has been allocated 1,774.

On Thursday, FIFA vice-president Jack Warner was found to violate the world football governing body’s Code of Ethics and was in a conflict of interest by virtue of being a director of Simpaul’s who was handed the exclusive rights to disburse the tickets by the TTFF.

This they did through a package deal to Germany guaranteeing tickets for Trinidad and Tobago matches together with airfare, double occupancy accommodation and meals costing upwards of $30,000.

The meeting of FIFA’s Committee for Ethics and Fairplay decided that the matter will now be referred to the FIFA Executive Committee for their deliberation and action against Warner, one of eight vice-presidents.

Warner, a Special Advisor to the TTFF and financier of the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign last year faces suspension from the FIFA Executive of even expulsion for breaching the organisation’s eligibility code.

Of the total of tickets assigned to the Football Federation 834 are yet to be disbursed. The breakdown of the ticket allocation was released yesterday by the Football Federation which was authenticated by Enrique Byrom of FIFA Ticketing and Accommodation who was sent to Trinidad and Tobago to perform an audit on the allocation process on the request of Warner.

The audit was conducted earlier this month and the findings were submitted to Dr Urs Linsi, General-Secretary of FIFA.

According to the document other tour operators apart from Simpaul’s, totalling seven, received 1,055 tickets while sponsors of the Football Federation comprising six companies were handed 1,039 tickets.

Football fans who made individual applications to the Football Federation, with a maximum allocation of four per household were the recepients of 1,553 tickets.

But the biggest block of tickets— 2,167— was shared by 63 corporations and groups who received in excess of four tickets per match ranging from 18 tickets to 300.

The Football Federation also distributed 432 tickets to the TT Government which will go to the Tobago House of Assembly, Tourist Development Agency and the London High Commission. Another group organising a charter, the BWIA Graduates were handed 150 tickets.

Also among receipt of tickets were Commercial Affiliates which include accounting firm KPMG and the non-profit charitable organisation Living Waters Community who were allocated 184 tickets.

And not to be left out were supporters groups including Luton Town in England and the Soca Worriers of the USA who were put down for 100 tickets.

The TTFF release stated yesterday that 35,000 ticket applications were received and they have started a waiting list to assign the remaining number.

TT World Cup Ticket Distribution —

Total 10,749

Sponsors of Football Federation 1,039

Local Tour Operators (7) 1,055

Simpaul’s Travel Service 1,774

TT Government 432

BWIA Graduates 150

Supporters clubs 100

Commercial Affiliates 184

Corporations, groups (63) 2,167

TTFF coaches, players, staff 762

TTFF staff, officials 699

Individuals 1,553

Total disbursed 9915

Tickets yet to allocate 834