FIFA Report -- 2010 World Cup Ticket Process; Sportfive Handling Fixed Rights

Tickets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals tournament in South Africa will range from 80 dollars for group stages to 900 dollars for the final, FIFA says.

“We are anticipating an oversubscription of tickets. Our aim is to create a fair distribution system,” David Will, chairman of the FIFA ticketing committee said ahead of the official opening of ticket applications today.

The most expensive ticket for the opening match is $450, for category one stadium stands, located alongside the pitch. Semifinal tickets are priced at $600 and a finals seat, 50 percent more at $900.

South African residents also have the opportunity to register through ticket application forms available at FNB National Bank branches in South Africa.

They will receive a FNB Visa Official Mascot Prepaid Card in exchange for an amount equal to that of the tickets that they apply for.

“The fervor is already palpable within South Africa and all around the world: everyone wants to take part in this extraordinary event,” FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke says.

“Our ticketing policy has been drawn up to reflect our determination to ensure that FIFA's flagship competition is accessible to all football fans.”

Tickets will be available in three types of sales phases: the random selection draw, the first-come, first-served and last minute sales.

FIFA says the reason for having multiple sales phases is the varying demand and anticipates availability of tickets at each of the different stages.

Applications for the phase one random selection sales close on March 31 with the draws taking place on April 15. Draws for the last minute sales will take place on Feb. 1 next year.

For the first time, FIFA has set aside 120,000 discounted tickets for South African residents, including 40,000 free tickets for stadium construction workers.

The FIFA deadline for the completion of all 10 stadiums is Oct. 15.

“We are not sure how much impact the current global recession will have on the tournament,” said Hirst Schmidt, a FIFA consultant for the World Cup.

“What we know is that football fans are a peculiar kind. They will want to see their teams at all cost.”

There was a familiar reassurance from the head of the local organizing committee.

“The World Cup is coming, there is no more talk of a plan B,” Danny Jordaan says.

Application forms for tickets are available online at FIFA's Web site.

The one-month global football fiesta, which will be hosted on the continent for the first time, starts on June 11, 2010.

Sportfive to Oversee European Media Rights

The Sportfive agency has announced a four-year deal with FIFA for the worldwide distribution of “fixed media rights” to FIFA events.

“We are very happy about becoming FIFA’s partner for the exploitation of the fixed media rights to 2010 FIFA Football World Cup South Africa in particular,” Lars Heidenreich, executive vice president international TV at Sportfive said.

“As the global leader in media rights marketing we recognize the value of cooperating with the world’s governing football body and of contributing our comprehensive portfolio to developing a great series of products before and after the 2010 finals.”

Fixed media rights encompasses magnetic, digital and electronic storage devices, including VHS, HVS, DVDs, Blue-ray DVDs, HD-DVDs, CDs, memory sticks, PSPs and laser discs.

Sportfive will act as the exclusive agent for FIFA events’ fixed media rights.

Watmore Assumes FA Leadership

Ian Watmore, permanent secretary for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, will become the next chief executive of the Football Association. Current executive Brian Barwick leaves in June.

As FA chief, Watmore will oversee operations, work on grassroots development of the sport and continue to develop relationships at both the professional and amateur level of the game.

Watmore's election by secret ballot has fueled complaints of cronyism. He was chosen over Arsenal's Ian Watmore will be the next chief executive of the Football Association. (DIUS)former managing director, Keith Edelman and Alex Horne, the FA's chief operating officer.

A senior civil servant, Watmore, 50, is an avid Arsenal fan. However, he has no formal football experience. Before entering public service, he worked in the IT industry for 24 years. Most recently, as a managing director at Accenture. He is also a board member for the English Institute for Sport.

Briefs…

… FIFA and UEFA are criticizing a new WADA rule requiring athletes to be available year-round for testing. In an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Michel D'Hooge, FIFA medical committee chairman, compared some of those rules to an "inquisition." He added that less than 0.1 percent of doping tests are positive in the sport.

…The St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association suspended four member clubs Thursday for "repeated and continuous violations of their obligations as members of the SKNFA." In a statement, officials charge that Newton F.C., Village Superstars F.C., Garden Hotspurs F.C. and St. Pauls F.C. violated fourteen statutes in the association's constitution. The suspended clubs are challenging SKNFA officials in the March 1 general elections.

…EA has released a trailer for FIFA 09's Ultimate Team mode for online competition. It is part of FIFA Soccer 09 which will be released on March 19. FIFA Ultimate Team will allow users to compete against players around the world. It will be available for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Media Watch…

…An article in the Telegraph Sport weighs likely venues for an England 2018 bid.

Written by Anthony Stavrinos

For general comments or questions, click here