'World Cup is not an invitation to exploit our residents': what NY prosecutor claims to request investigation into FIFA ticket prices

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FIFA will need to respond to questions from American officials after being accused of "artificially inflating prices" and "misleading fans" in ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, which begins next month.
Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey have officially launched an investigation into FIFA's practices.
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New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport classified the ticket purchasing process as a "bunch of confusion, artificial scarcity and extremely high prices".
She added that there will be a "thorough investigation into FIFA's conduct" and that world football's governing body will be subpoenaed to provide information. In the American legal system, a subpoena forces a party to release specific internal documents or information.
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Davenport made the joint announcement alongside New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).
DCWP Commissioner Samuel AA Levine said the agency will take "allegations of blatantly misleading conduct very seriously" and will investigate allegations of "artificial price inflation".
In particular, FIFA has been asked to explain why tickets "exceed the prices of any previous edition of the World Cup".
Fans have reported being "misled" about seat locations with the creation of more expensive 'front' ticket categories, launched after the initial sale. It is also alleged that variable pricing over several phases allowed FIFA to increase prices for around 90 of the 104 matches, with an average increase of 34%.
The investigation will look at how the timing of ticket sales and public statements may have impacted prices.
FIFA declined to comment.
'Not an invitation to exploit residents and visitors'
FIFA has frequently highlighted the demand for tickets, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino saying defending the cost by saying they reflect the public's "absolutely crazy" appetite for the summer tournament.
But as of Wednesday, tickets were available for 86 of the 104 matches and for all but 10 of the group stages.
The attorneys general highlighted, in particular, the cost of tickets for eight matches, including the final, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Davenport. "It's an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors."
James said local residents "deserve a fair chance at affordable tickets." World.
"Reports of FIFA's conduct in violation of the city's consumer protection law, including misleading fans about seat locations and artificially inflating prices, are deeply concerning," Levine said.
The investigation comes after California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a letter to FIFA earlier this month raising concerns about "potentially deceptive ticket sales practices."
Local organizers have been at loggerheads with FIFA in recent months over the high costs.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill had previously criticized FIFA's refusal to subsidize transportation during the event and insisted that local taxpayers would not foot the bill.
After initially announcing that a train ticket would cost US$150 (R$758), earlier this month the public transport company NJ Transit reversed itself and reduced the fare to US$98 (R$495).
Penn train travel Station, in Manhattan, to the venue - a distance of around 29km - normally costs US$12.90 (R$65) for a round trip fare.
FIFA was approached for comment.
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Source: G1