FIFA: Fans could be banned from World Cup for using tickets illegally sold or re-sold

FIFA said its website is the only "legitimate source" for purchasing tickets. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

FIFA issued a warning on Thursday ahead of the World Cup in June, saying that fans will be banned from entering stadiums if they use tickets that were illegally sold or re-sold, according to the Associated Press.

The world soccer governing organization said in a statement that its website is the "only legitimate source" for purchasing tickets and for re-selling tickets for those who are unable to go to matches, which begin in approximately three weeks in Brazil. FIFA said it's a crime to sell a ticket for more than face value.

More in the AP report from FIFA Marketing Director Thierry Weil:

"Over the last few weeks we have unfortunately seen more and more people leaving our ticket centers disappointed as they failed to collect their tickets purchased through unofficial websites."

The asking price for tickets began at $2,300 for the Brazil-Croatia game on June 12 in Sao Paulo, according to the popular ticket site, StubHub.com. World Cup stadium seating capacity is expected to top 3.3 million, including guests and media, for the 64 matches, according to the report.

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