PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP):TRINIDAD ASKED the country's soccer federation for World Cup tickets on Friday, one day after allegations of cronyism and ticket price gouging emerged against a top soccer official.
Roger Boynes, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, sent the request in a letter to Oliver Camps, head of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.
"In the circumstances, the government will be approaching your organisation with a view to acquiring a bloc of tickets for the respective games as it is the government's intention to arrange charters with the national airline," Boynes wrote.
Camps confirmed that his office received the letter, but said he hadn't yet seen it. He didn't know how many tickets the government wanted, but said he had previously told Boynes that anyone who applied for tickets would be considered.
The government's request follows a ticket dispute in the twin-island nation, which will make its first trip to the World Cup finals in Germany.
The Trinidad and Tobago Express recently published allegations charging that the sole agency selling World Cup tickets in Trinidad was owned by the family of FIFA vice president Jack Warner, also a senior adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.
That connection prompted allegations of unfair practices among some fans eager to watch their national team.
The Warner family's agency, Simpaul Travel Service Ltd., had offered a US$4,785 (¤4,000) travel package that includes tickets for three games, hotel accommodation for 12 nights and team souvenirs, according to Simpaul's web-site.
Tickets couldn't be purchased separately, although fans who didn't want the package deal could purchase tickets directly from FIFA.
TRAVEL PACKAGE OFFERED
On Friday, the Simpaul website offered a travel package for the World Cup that didn't include tickets, stating: "Match tickets are not included and you must source these directly from TTFF (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation) or via the FIFA website."
Several phone calls placed to Warner on Friday seeking comment were not immediately returned. He has acknowledged that he owned Simpaul, but said the criticism was personal and political.
Trinidad's Soca Warriors play Sweden, England and Paraguay in the first round of the World Cup, which starts June 9.
Trinidad, home to one million people, will be the least populated country taking part in the 32-nation tournament. They are the fourth Caribbean team to reach the World Cup, following Cuba in 1938, Haiti in 1974 and Jamaica in 1998.
