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Trinidad's PM to intervene in ticket sales
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-06 10:25
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad - Trinidad's prime minister said Thursday his
government will intervene in the sale of World Cup tickets amid allegations of
cronyism and price gouging against a leading soccer official.
Prime
Minister Patrick Manning's comments came in response to allegations published by
the Trinidad and Tobago Express charging that the sole agency selling World Cup
tickets in the country was owned by the family of FIFA vice president Jack
Warner, a senior adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.
That connection prompted allegations of unfair practices among some fans
eager to watch their national team makes its first World Cup appearance at this
year's tournament in Germany.
"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.
The Warner family's agency, Simpaul Travel Service Ltd., offers a $4,785
travel package that includes tickets for three games, hotel accommodation for 12
nights and team souvenirs, according to Simpaul's Web site. 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 games would
total $363, according to the FIFA Web site. But the tickets are sold only to
winners of a FIFA ticket lottery.
Manning said he was waiting for a report on the matter from Roger Boynes,
Trinidad's minister of sports and youth affairs.
Warner acknowledged in a Tuesday news conference that he owned Simpaul, but
said the criticism was personal and political.
"It is not a crime to be successful, even for people like me," Warner said.
Warner also denied Simpaul has exclusive rights to the country's allotment of
World Cup tickets.
"No World Cup tickets of any category or price has been assigned to Simpauls
or to any other organization and/or person in Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
Some fans were angry about the ticket situation.
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