FIFA World Cup: unauthorised ticket sale to be met with hefty fines

Doha: Qatar's Ministry of Justice has issued a notification stating that fines up to QAR 250,000 will be levied upon those who sell or exchange World Cup tickets outside of those methods prescribed by FIFA.

The ministry issued a clarification on the instructions regarding the sale of tickets on the FIFA website and said illegal sale or exchange of tickets will be met with heavy fines. However, the holder of the ticket may issue the ticket to their guests free of cost and at the original value only.

Meanwhile, the person who received the ticket as a guest is not allowed to transfer it under any circumstance. FIFA ticketing rules require that the ticket be returned to the initial ticket recipient if the guest is unable to use the ticket. Only he is permitted to reissue the ticket to another guest.

Imposing a fine of QAR 2.5 lakh for illegal ticket sales has been decided as per rule (10) of the 2021 World Cup hosting Act.

Advertisements, promotions, competitions, prizes as part of a hotel, flight, hospitality or travel packages and raffle draws are subject to the approval and terms of FIFA Ticketing.

The FIFA website advises that tickets transferred in an unauthorized manner are not valid and may be cancelled at any time without notice.