₦airaland Forum

Fifa has defended its attendance figures at South Korea’s opening-day win against the Czech Republic at the World Cup by insisting that some fans “stood in concourses rather than in their assigned seat.”

There were thousands of empty seats, in just the second match of the tournament, to further raise questions surrounding Fifa’s ticket prices for the world spectacle. South Korea defeated Czech Republic 2-1, in a gripping Group A contest in Guadalajara.

But amid controversy surrounding the ticket prices at the World Cup, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino defending the dynamic pricing policy at his press conference on the eve of the tournament, thousands of empty red seats could be seen throughout the contest at the Estadio Akron.

On Friday, a Fifa spokesperson told The Independent in response: “Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, rather than visual assessments of seating occupancy at any given moment during the match. FIFA works closely with stadium authorities and ticketing teams to ensure all published figures are based on verified operational data.

“Please note that, during last night’s match in Guadalajara, several ticketed fans could be seen standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match.”

Fifa opted to cut prices for some of its 104 matches in recent weeks, but a reported 180,000 tickets remained listed across Fifa’s official resale portals ahead of the tournament.

The pricing policy has seen the cheapest standard ticket to the final reach a reported $5,785, with some tickets reaching five figures

The issue has clouded the build-up to the tournament, with Fifa even claiming to have received over 500 million booking requests.

Infantino’s defence surrounding the ticket prices centred on his belief that the Fifa World Cup was a bigger event than the NBA Finals, which has seen exorbitant prices for the Knicks v Spurs series.

Politicians in New York and New Jersey have launched a formal investigation after allegations fans were left confused by Fifa over the inflated prices of tickets.

kedeojo:
You didn't say before the so called waiver, how he was trading cement with the loan capital of 500,000 far back in 60s from his grandfather. the VP was just mischievous. Kano mould dangote period. tell your billionaires from your place to invest in electricity, steel and not when dangote enter the market with massive input then we start hearing government made him to generate electricity. the richest igbo man, Arthur eze is busy building hotel at enugu airport.

jaxxy:
Tesla and thousands of companies arround the world got waivers too or else they wont survive in a new or capital intensive industry sector. Its not a strange practice in economicand business development.

MarketDispatch:
Is Emir of Kano saying VP was given Nigerians Lamba?

Guestmale:
You're very correct.The Islamic jihadists are all out to make Nigeria a one religion country.Around 30,000 armed militants and jihadists operate across Nigeria, according to a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Their mode operandi is like that of Taliban in Afghanistan, staging guerilla warfare with sole aim of taking over the government and install Islamic government and law, but it's DOA they won't succeed.

He said the state government remains willing to engage bandits and kidnappers who genuinely denounce criminal activities, stressing that the state government is willing to facilitate their reintegration.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has backed down on his decision not to engage bandits terrorising communities across the state, saying the door of negotiation is open to those willing to embrace peace.


He said the state government remains willing to engage bandits and kidnappers who genuinely denounce criminal activities, stressing that the state government is willing to facilitate their reintegration.

He asked them to abandon violence, embrace dialogue and surrender their weapons in the interest of peace and development.

The governor made the appeal during the official commissioning and handing over of 152 housing units to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Jibia Local Government Area of the state,on Thursday.

The houses were constructed under the UNDP Northwest Prevention Facility Project under the support of the government of Germany in partnership with the state government.

The governor urged those still involved in criminal activities to turn a new leaf and return to their families and communities, assuring them that government support and opportunities could also be extended to them if they choose the path of peace as they lay down their weapons.

“To our brothers and sisters in the bush and forests, to those who still raise weapons against innocent people, and to those engaged in banditry, kidnapping and violence, hear me clearly today: there is a better path, the doors for dialogue, repentance and reintegration remain open.”

“Lay down your arms and return to your families and communities. The same houses, grants and opportunities being provided here today can be available to you tomorrow. Not through fear or bloodshed, but through peace, good governance and honest labour. Choose your children over your weapons. Choose prosperity over destruction. Choose life,” he said.
Radda reiterated his administration’s commitment to pursuing lawful and practical measures aimed at ending the persistent insecurity confronting many communities across the state.

He said lasting peace remains essential for the state’s development and pledged to continue supporting initiatives that promote stability, rehabilitation and community recovery.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has challenged recent remarks by Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that Kano, not Lagos, nurtured the business foundations of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and billionaire industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu.

Sanusi made the remarks while addressing members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), where he underscored Kano’s long-standing reputation as a commercial hub and a cradle of entrepreneurial success.

According to the Emir, both Dangote and Rabiu emerged from Kano’s deep-rooted trading tradition before expanding their business empires across Nigeria and beyond

These businessmen went to Lagos to expand their businesses and learn from the commercial environment there, not to learn how to do business from the beginning,” Sanusi said.

He noted that Kano has historically produced generations of successful merchants and entrepreneurs, arguing that the state’s commercial heritage played a significant role in shaping some of Africa’s most prominent business figures

The Emir’s comments are widely seen as a response to remarks made by Shettima during the Invest Lagos Summit 3.0 on Monday.

At the summit, the Vice President praised Lagos State’s economic environment and leadership, stating that Lagos was responsible for producing Africa’s richest individual.

“Lagos produced Africa’s richest man, not Kano. Aliko Dangote is a Lagos boy. Likewise, it was not Kano that produced Africa’s second-richest man, Abdul Samad Rabiu,” Shettima said.

The Vice President made the statement while emphasising Lagos State’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy and its role in fostering private-sector growth and wealth creation.

Sanusi’s response has since sparked renewed debate over the respective contributions of Kano and Lagos to the development of some of Nigeria’s most influential business leaders, reflecting a broader discussion about the country’s commercial history and economic identity

myrates:
Dey play, the South Animals go still collect in their own coin.

Incognito403:
You want a business to call out a government?
Stop dreaming.

Have you seen airpeace call out Tinubu or an south east governor? E get why.

free2ryhme:
shameless lot

una mate dey world cup

na ronaldo una dey rush snap picture with

DoTheNeedful:
I didn't see any rush in the video. I only saw players and officials extending post-match courtesies and greetings to themselves.

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mirrael68:
Exactly.
Call the problem by the right name- it's not banditry or even terrorism, it's a jihad. They want full take over.
But you see, it won't happen.
For we have a promise from the promise keeper Himself - THE GATES OF HELL WILL NEVER PREVAIL!

For we have a promise from the promise keeper Himself - THE GATES OF HELL WILL NEVER PREVAIL![

martinmiller:
Take solid actions against all these insecurities shenanigans going on insouth West - how will this story challenge banditry, bk boys, fulani herdsman among others - all the groups put together, it is only when issues like this rises you see them putting out communique or what our view!

I was hoping to read how you guys are set to map out banditry, the oyo state governor is also jacketing up and down without no serious template - the other day Adelabus sister was rescued with effort from the gun kidnapping men, why can't the same technique be used against these guys in the Bush like what is stopping a whole state government and besides these bandit told you what they want lol 😆 are you saying nation building nah rocket science.

The problems of Nigeria are Nigerians, the politicians, their colonial masters and the civil service. Everything is politicised, it is deeper than what we are seeing on the media,the media as failed Nigerians.