FIFA World Cup partner faces antitrust probe

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 17 (IANS)

Aerial view of the Maracana stadium on May 10, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/LatinContent/Getty Images) The Maracana stadium will host the upcoming Confederations Cup, the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The company responsible for 2014 World Cup ticketing and accommodation has been accused of uncompetitive behaviour by Brazil’s public prosecutor’s office.

MATCH Services AG, an official FIFA partner, is operating a ticket sales “monopoly”, a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office was quoted telling local media Friday, reports Xinhua.

The Zurich-based company has also acquired “considerable market power” over hotel availability due to its ability to reserve rooms in advance, the complaint said.

Brazil’s antitrust watchdog, CADE, says it will analyse the complaint before deciding whether to launch an official investigation.

According to Brazilian tourism agency Embratur, hotel rates will rise as much as 600 percent during the month-long event, beginning June 12 next year.

Rio de Janeiro, which will host the final July 13, is the most expensive city with daily hotel prices averaging $461.