Disabled fans contact human rights expert over lack of accessible tickets

Disabled fan representatives have written to a United Nations-appointed human rights expert regarding what they describe as FIFA’s “deeply troubling” lack of engagement over accessible tickets for next summer’s World Cup.

Earlier this month fan groups contacted FIFA regarding the lack of accessible tickets in the cheapest category for the finals in North America and the failure to provide free companion tickets, both of which have been common practice at major tournaments in the past, including the last men’s World Cup in Qatar.

They have also raised concerns over accessible tickets being sold at hugely inflated prices on FIFA’s resale platform, and say there are no eligibility checks in place to ensure these tickets are even sold to disabled fans.

Now, the Disability and Fan Inclusion Network of Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has written to the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The network told special rapporteur Heba Hagrass in its letter, seen by the Press Association, that issues of “discrimination and exclusion” had been raised to FIFA.

“To date, FIFA has neither acknowledged nor engaged with the concerns raised. The lack of engagement itself is deeply troubling,” the network representatives wrote.

“Fans with disabilities across the world are now entering the Christmas period entirely in the dark as to whether FIFA is willing to listen or engage directly with those affected by its policies. This uncertainty is not abstract.

“For many supporters with disabilities, attending a major international tournament requires early planning for travel, accommodation, personal assistance, and financial commitments.

“Without clarity, the opportunity to attend on an equal basis risks being lost altogether.”

FSE has called on FIFA to substantially reduce the price of accessibility tickets, cap accessibility tickets at face value for resale, reinstate free companion tickets and engage with supporters with disabilities.

“We remain hopeful that FIFA will choose to engage constructively and directly with supporters with disabilities, and that solutions consistent with dignity, equality, and international disability rights standards can still be found in a timely manner,” the letter added.

FIFA has been approached for comment.

There has also been wider controversy over the cost of tickets generally, with FIFA introducing 60-dollar (£45) tickets to an allocation for national teams’ most loyal fans after an outcry over the initial pricing plan.

However, FIFA has been accused of not going far enough, with the 60-dollar tickets typically equating to around 10 per cent of the allocation for national team travel club and loyalty scheme members.

The cheapest price for a final ticket outside of the 60-dollar bracket remains 4,185 US dollars (£3,130).