Scotland fans call on the SFA to stand up for the Tartan Army as FIFA opt to ‘prioritise wealth’ for World Cup tickets
The Association of Tartan Army Clubs have released a statement asking FIFA to ‘reconsider’ their ticket pricing strategy.
As Fans across the globe continue to express their disdain with FIFA regarding ticket prices, the Tartan Army have called upon the SFA to stand up to Gianni Infantino and co.
The Association of Tartan Army Clubs (ATAC) have expressed their concerns with FIFA’s ticket strategy, which threatens to price out many Scots who plan on following their country in Boston, Miami and potentially beyond. They follow Football Supporters Europe (FSE), who released a statement on Thursday calling for an immediate halt to ticket sales, due to false promises made by FIFA.
Following your team from their first game to the final would cost around $7000, while the cheapest possible ticket for the final itself is £3,119, seven times more than the same fixture three years ago in Qatar. Allocations have also proved to be problematic, with Scotland Supporters Club members set to receive less then 4,000 tickets per group game, despite both stadiums in Boston and Miami having over 60,000 seats each.
Infantino makes Blatter look like ‘Santa Claus’
The ATAC statement called on the head of FIFA to ‘reconsider’ the ticket pricing strategy and compared him to former President Sepp Blatter, who was constantly on the receiving end of corruption allegations. It read: “FIFA needs to reconsider the ticket pricing for supporters of competing teams and suspend the planned sale of tickets until it has done so.
“The prices that filtered out from each of the national associations yesterday confirmed our worst fears. To buy tickets to follow your team all the way will cost around $7000, a disgraceful and disgusting cost that cannot be justified. FIFA are selling tickets and banking money for the final 48 times over, but only two tickets can realistically be sold. All this cash will be resting in FIFA’s Swiss bank accounts until they grudgingly have to refund it to fans after the tournament ends.
“Refunds will be subject to a fee to ensure FIFA bleeds the last cent from disillusioned supporters. Johnny (©️ POTUS) Infantino promised to rid FIFA of greed and corruption, but he has taken it to new levels since he deposed Sepp Blatter. Blatter now looks like Santa Claus by comparison.”
FIFA have chosen to ‘prioritise wealth’
As it is Scotland’s first appearance at the competition since 1998, next summer’s finals have been labelled a once-in-a-generation opportunity. However the Tartan Army believe that FIFA have already ruined, what should be, a great experience for Scotland supporters.
ATAC ambassador Graham Baxter added: “the World Cup is meant to be a global festival of football, bringing together supporters from every nation. For supporters my age, this is the first opportunity we’ve had to support Scotland at one.”
“Instead, FIFA has chosen to prioritise wealth and exclusivity and those with deep pockets, sidelining the hard‑working fans who travel thousands of miles to back their teams who don’t have the level of cash FIFA are demanding. ATAC stands firmly alongside Football Supporters Europe and supporters associations across Europe, calling for a rethink of these astronomical and unjustifiable prices”