FIFA has stated that it has no evidence to suggest that spectators entered England’s opening World Cup match against Croatia without valid tickets, following reports alleging security breaches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Claims emerged based on eyewitness accounts suggesting that numerous fans were able to access the venue without undergoing proper ticket checks. One spectator told newspaper Mail Sport that gaps near the ticket barriers allowed people to enter freely, adding that volunteers stationed in the area were unable to effectively control access.
Responding to the allegations, a FIFA spokesperson said the organisation currently has no indication that any individuals entered the stadium without a legitimate match ticket.
The official attendance for the fixture was recorded at 70,389 spectators, marginally below the stadium’s tournament capacity of 70,649 as confirmed by FIFA before the competition.
Ticket pricing has been one of the most widely discussed issues in the build-up to the World Cup. Under England’s official supporter travel programme, the lowest-priced tickets for the Croatia match were initially set at £198. However, following strong criticism from supporters, FIFA agreed to allocate 10 per cent of tickets within the scheme at a reduced price of 60 US dollars (approximately £45) per match.
