Ernst & Young to oversee 2006 FIFA World Cup ticket sales

Auditing and consulting firm Ernst & Young (Switzerland) will serve as independent external auditors to monitor and evaluate the overall ticketing project for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany after their appointment was confirmed by the Ticketing Sub-Committee, comprising representatives of FIFA and the German local organising committee, on 9 January. 
 

Shortly after the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, Ernst & Young were asked, on the proposal of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, to conduct an independent review of the ticketing arrangements for that tournament.

“FIFA and the German local organising committee have said from the very outset that ticketing for the World Cup is a task not far removed from trying to square the circle,” said FIFA General Secretary Urs Linsi. “We have learnt lessons from the past and want to offer total transparency in this area, so the overall ticketing process for this year’s World Cup will from this moment on be the subject of a comprehensive and ongoing control procedure.”

Ticketing for the 2006 FIFA World Cup involves numerous contracts with service providers, pinpoint processes and deadlines, and the division of the available tickets into quotas for various constituent groups including fans, partners, associations, honorary guests, members etc. Ernst & Young have been appointed to monitor the ticketing project, identify potential weaknesses, propose mitigation strategies and submit regular briefings to FIFA regarding the various ticketing constituent groups’ compliance with the applicable rules and regulations. The firm will also keep track of the financial transactions involved.

For its part, FIFA will provide support for its members, including most notably the associations that have qualified for the finals. In order to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts, FIFA and special consultants Byrom PLC will offer advice on the procedures and regulations that must be respected and the various rights and responsibilities involved in the sale of tickets by the associations themselves. This will ensure that the associations satisfy the contractual deadlines and other requirements.

(fifaworldcup.yahoo.com)