FIFA Says It Will Wait Until Later This Month To Announce World Cup Ticket Prices

FIFA "shelved plans to announce ticket prices for the 2014 World Cup finals" following Sunday night's protests in Brazil, where violent clashes outside the Maracanã stadium marred the Confederations Cup final, according to Stuart James of the London GUARDIAN. World Cup organizers "had been due to reveal the pricing structure for next summer's tournament," but it was announced at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro Monday "that this would now take place later in the month." Although FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke claimed the decision to postpone the announcement until July 19 was down to logistical reasons, "many will question" whether the demonstrations that have taken place in Brazil about the lack of investment in public services at a time when so much money is being spent on hosting the World Cup, forced FIFA "to change strategy" (GUARDIAN, 7/1). The BBC reported FIFA said World Cup tickets will be "cheapest ever." Valcke said that 70% of the matches "would cost less than in previous events" (BBC, 7/1).