Michael Burgess: NZ Herald Senior Sports Journalist on the security measures, ticket prices ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Security measures and ticket prices for this year’s FIFA World Cup may be dampening the spirit of the event.  The expanded tournament features 48 teams and is being hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.  But the combined paranoia of FIFA and the US Government has resulted in intense security – NZ Herald Sport Journalist Michael Burgess describing it as “way over the top”.  The tournament has also been mired by high ticket prices, with resale tickets being sold for thousands of dollars, and tickets for the finals costing over $15 thousand dollars.  Burgess told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it will still be a great tournament – the stadiums will be pretty full, and it’ll look great on television.  But he says what FIFA and the United States have done has taken the heart and soul out of what’s normally a celebration of sport, football, and the international community.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.