FIFA blames empty World Cup seats on fans who left them to watch from the concourses
FIFA has defended its attendance figures for the World Cup, attributing visible empty seats to fans watching from concourses rather than their assigned spots. The organization faces criticism over high ticket prices and dynamic pricing models.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights growing tensions between sports governing bodies and fans regarding the accessibility and affordability of major international sporting events.
Empty seats were visible during South Korea's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic at the World Cup. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) FIFA pushed back Friday on viral images of swaths of empty seats at Thursday's World Cup match in Guadalajara, Mexico, saying the official attendance figure was accurate and that "several ticketed fans could be seen standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match."
The report balances FIFA's official statement with external criticism from fan groups and media observations.
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