Fifa is still optimistic about reaching its sales target, despite its ticketing systems crashing on Friday - for the second time.
The soccer governing body claims the systems started working again from about 10.30am on Friday and the ticketing section on the Web site was made available once more from that afternoon.
However, the system was still down when ITWeb visited the Sandton ticketing office on Friday afternoon, with hundreds of frustrated fans crowding on the pavement outside. Some left without buying any tickets, not interested in standing in a queue all day.
Despite the second glitch in the ticketing system, Fifa is positive about reaching its target attendance for all matches. “We want to reach an attendance of 97% to 98% for all matches; these figures would correspond with the past World Cups. We are happy with the figures so far, and positive to reach our goal.”
Firm support
However, the frustration caused by the latest system crash did not prevent local fans supporting the event, as close to 60 000 tickets had been sold by 5pm on Friday, according to Fifa. “Tickets were no longer available for several matches, including all three Bafana Bafana group stage matches and the final.
“We are very impressed by the enthusiasm shown today by all fans and especially those in SA towards the 2010 Fifa World Cup. We have seen a huge demand for tickets from the local fans, in the true spirit of this 'football Friday'. We are very thankful for the patience shown by the fans and once again would like to apologise to all the fans that have been affected by the problems in the ticketing sales system today [Friday],” says Fifa secretary general J'er^ome Valcke.
Fifa says it has sold 130 000 tickets since Friday and there are about 30 000 tickets still available.
No explanation
The governing body says it is constantly receiving reports from its official ticketing service provider, Match. However, the cause of the problem on Friday still has to be explored.
“The matter needs to be looked into in detail of course - to be able to have key learnings,” says Fifa. It adds that it will need more time to tell why exactly the system has been failing.
Fifa declined to comment on whether it expects to have any other issues with the ticketing systems for the rest of the ticket sales.
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