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FIFA files criminal complaint over World Cup ticket sales

The Associated Press Published Tuesday, June 5, 2018 7:09AM EDT

Tickets for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada are shown Tuesday, May 19, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS / Graeme Roy)

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ZURICH -- FIFA says it filed a criminal complaint in Switzerland against online platform Viagogo for selling World Cup tickets.

FIFA says it joined other parties filing criminal complaints against alleged "opaque and deceptive business conduct" by Viagogo in the so-called secondary market.

The priority for FIFA is "the safety and security of fans and (to) enforce a fair 2018 FIFA World Cup ticketing pricing scheme," soccer's world governing body says.

FIFA says fans who buy through unofficial platforms, including Viagogo, for World Cup games in Russia face being denied entry to stadiums.

FIFA filed its complaint with the public prosecutor's office in Geneva.

It has worked with UEFA and the consumer protection agency for Switzerland's French-speaking region to "co-ordinate action against unauthorized (sales) platforms."