Thousands of British football fans who booked tickets for England's World Cup match against Iran have been left stranded after reports that Tehran officials revoked their bookings. The move, which appears to target women and families, has sparked fury among supporters who paid hundreds of pounds each. Sarah Jenkins, Economy & Labour Reporter, speaks to fans in Manchester who say they have been 'cheated out of a lifetime experience.
' One father of two, who asked not to be named, said: 'We saved for two years. Now we're told our tickets are gone. No explanation.
No refund.' Union representatives have called on Fifa to intervene, citing consumer rights violations. The issue highlights the widening gap between the wealth of football's governing body and the ordinary fans who fuel the sport.
Fifa has acknowledged the problem, stating it is 'working hard to resolve' the situation, but critics say the response has been too slow. With the tournament just weeks away, the clock is ticking for fans who face losing not just their tickets but their entire holiday investment. The government has faced pressure to step in, with shadow ministers calling for an emergency debate.
Meanwhile, supporters are organising protests outside Fifa headquarters in Zurich. For now, the fate of thousands of tickets hangs in the balance, as does the trust between football's regulators and the working-class communities that love the game.
