Original article published on Evening Standard (06/05/18) by Jack Rosser

FIFA has filed a criminal complaint in Switzerland against Viagogo for selling tickets for the upcoming World Cup in Russia, citing "opaque and deceptive business conduct" in the secondary market. The organization says its priority is "the safety and security of fans and [to] enforce a fair 2018 FIFA World Cup ticketing pricing scheme." FIFA filed its grievance with the public prosecutor's office in Geneva after it received complaints from individuals and consumer protection agencies over the last several months. Fans who buy tickets through unofficial sellers have been warned that they could be refused admission to the World Cup. FIFA also says it has collaborated with UEFA and the Fédération romande des consommateurs (FRC), the consumer protection agency for Switzerland's French-speaking region, to "coordinate action against unauthorized [sales] platforms."

Read the full story on the Evening Standard website.