Football: FA to ask for more World Cup tickets

The Football Association is to apply for more tickets for the World Cup finals following fears of a black market in France.

Under current rules, 60 per cent of tickets are intended for the French market, 20 per cent for the game's world governing body, Fifa, and 20 per cent between the two competing teams.

Sir Brian Hayes, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who is heading the FA's security operation, believes that number is too low and could lead to problems. He said yesterday that he would address the issue when he meets French police and tournament organisers later this month.

"I shall be raising such matters as their general policy on ticket control, segregation, how they will handle fans going to and from grounds and inside them and how they are going to cope with the enormous movement of fans across the country travelling in different directions," he said.

Manchester United fans want to meet club officials to clear up the row over standing areas at Old Trafford.

The problem has worsened in recent weeks amid claims of bullying and intimidation by security staff. The situation came to a head on Boxing Day against Everton, when fans and security men fought as supporters were ejected from the ground.

At an emergency meeting of the Manchester United Independent Supporters' Association this week the club was urged to meet fans' leaders.

"The next home game is against Spurs on 10 January," Andy Walsh, the Association's spokesman, said. "We have to discuss this before then. The brutality of some of the security staff has gone beyond a joke."