FIFA to change ticketing for 2014

He had already admitted the ticketing system, based on internet sales, was not suitable for South Africa, where the poor black population who are the country's biggest football fans do not have access either to the Web or bank accounts.

Last month, organisers belatedly introduced over-the-counter cash sales which unleashed a rush for tickets and significantly pumped up excitement over the tournament in the host nation.

"I have already said that the system we have put in place was not perfect for South Africa and for Africa," Valcke told a press lunch.

"For Brazil we say that we have to rethink and we will work on all the ticketing policies from scratch for 2014 because I agree that it could be that we are facing the same kind of situation in Brazil as in South Africa."

South Africa's Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk earlier this week called the internet ticketing system a "huge mistake" for Africa. He also said ticket prices were too high.

He dismissed local reports that FIFA and foreign intelligence services were worried about South Africa's capacity to deal with such threats.

"It is clear for the time being that we have not received any threat on the World Cup, a real one, coming from one of the security agencies we are working with," he said.

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