Fifa says its ticketing policy is fair but Which? disagrees

Which? claims a deal between Fifa, the German Football League and Mastercard breaches European competition law.

Fifa says its ticketing policy is fair but Which? wants the European Commission to investigate before fans pay for their tickets on 31 March.

Fans must pay with a Mastercard credit card, via a German bank account or via bank transfer, costing up to �35.

Payment rejected?

Fans who do not use these methods of payment will not have their applications for tickets processed.

Which? wants the European Commission to force Fifa to scrap this ticketing policy and allow people to pay by whichever method they choose.

"The deal struck between FIFA, the DFB [German Football League] and Mastercard is anti-competitive and puts football fans in the UK and around Europe at a disadvantage, as well as meaning they will incur additional and unnecessary costs, " said Phil Evans, principal policy adviser at Which?.

A fair deal?

Fifa said it had taken "great care in ensuring that its activities are in line with European competition law".

It also denied that its ticketing policy was unfair and said that similar ticketing policies have been used at other international sporting events.

"There are genuine, fair and internationally-accepted alternative payment methods available, and no-one will have a lesser chance of acquiring a ticket if they do not have a Mastercard," it said in a statement.

At the moment, fans must buy tickets through Fifa.

At a later stage fans should be able to apply for tickets through national football associations.

Then, they are expected to be able to use their preferred method of payment.

Fifa stressed that supporters will be able to use other payment cards later in the process.