More than 300 000 online ticket applications for the 2010 Fifa World Cup were received within 48 hours of the opening of ticket sales, the Cup’s Organising Committee said on Monday.
“This is a very happy moment…” said the committee’s chief executive Dr Danny Jordaan at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Visitors’ Centre.
This figure excludes thousands of other applications being processed through First National Bank branches countrywide.
“The fervour is already palpable within South Africa and all around the world… everyone wants to take part in this extraordinary event,” said Jordaan.
The sale, which started on Friday, was not on a first come, first serve basis. In the first phase of ticket sales, fans have until midnight on March 31, 2009 to make ticket applications on the www.FIFA.com website.
All applicants who register correctly will have an equal opportunity to get tickets, as a random draw will take place on April 15 to determine who gets tickets for oversubscribed matches.
Wearing a black suit and striped tie, Jordaan said black market tickets were a major problems at any event.
“The demand for tickets is always greater than the supply.”
It was for this reason that those buying tickets had to add their personal details to the ticket application forms. “Football hooligans may constitute a threat and it will not be allowed at the stadium… the ticket has to have your name on it,” said
Jordaan.
He said Fifa would act harshly against those caught perpetrating such a crime.
Jordaan noted that there were many other implications when it came to the resale of tickets, but said: “We will try our best because we will not allow it.”
Sapa
