German Minister urges firms to return unused tickets

BERLIN, Jun 3 : Companies should quickly return any surplus tickets for the World Cup to organisers to ensure fans can fill empty seats, German Economy Minister Michael Glos was quoted as saying today.

''I appeal to all (industry) associations and firms which have tickets they don't need to give the tickets back to the soccer World Cup organising committee as quickly as possible,'' Glos told the Berliner Zeitung daily newspaper.

''That way all the fans can get involved who hadn't managed to get any tickets yet and are on waiting lists. We can't have empty seats in the stadiums at our World Cup,'' he added.

Germany hosts the World Cup between June 9 and July 9. As the eyes of the world turn towards the country, the government has been at pains to ensure the biggest sporting event it has hosted since the 1974 World Cup in West Germany is a success.

Some fans' groups say the organisers have allocated too many World Cup tickets to corporate sponsors.

REUTERS