Audio By Carbonatix
The football World Cup in South Africa will be played in front of fewer foreign fans than initially expected, says governing body Fifa.
Secretary-general Jerome Valcke said there were also too few flights to cater for demand, and also suggested some fans were concerned about safety.
Fifa says it expects less than 450,000 foreign fans - a target the body had hoped to meet with ease.
South Africans have snapped up most of the two million tickets sold so far.
The US makes up the largest contingent of foreign fans wanting tickets - with the UK next on the list.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says Fifa are clearly disappointed at the number of people planning to travel to the tournament.
Mr Valcke told a news conference: "It is true that the PMAs [local football associations] find it currently difficult to sell the tickets due to limited flights available.
"Therefore we are now working together with the airlines to create extra flights and packages to help the PMAs to sell their tickets."
Mr Valcke also said concerns about security in South Africa seemed to have put off some foreign fans.
He said criticism had been coming mainly from Germany and England.
Our correspondent says Mr Valcke was clearly angered by the criticism and described the comments as insane and completely wrong.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 2025/26: Dreams FC stage stunning comeback to hammer Eleven Wonders
29 minutes -
Livestream: The Probe examines Kumasi’s looming water crisis
33 minutes -
MTN Ghana gears up to lead Africa’s AI revolution
34 minutes -
Philanthropist Alhaji FuZak donates Da’wah bus to Ambariya Sunni community
41 minutes -
GUTA calls for suspension of Publican AI system over trade disruptions
44 minutes -
TTAG raises alarm over proposed recruitment of 7,000 teachers, demands national posting roadmap
1 hour -
Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
1 hour -
Bishop Simon Kofi Appiah installed as new Jasikan Diocese Bishop
1 hour -
Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged
2 hours -
US Court backs extradition of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana
2 hours -
Seven arrested as NAIMOS dismantles illegal mining camp, seizes firearms at Boin River
2 hours -
Fire erupts at Madina Ritz Junction, destroys multiple wooden structures and containers
2 hours -
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh returns from long-term injury, registers assist for Freiburg U23
2 hours -
Knifeman calling himself ‘Lucifer’ slashes three at NYC’s Grand Central
3 hours -
Brands are built from within to without Â
3 hours