Fifa trials ‘obese’ tickets for 2017 cup

Fifa’s special-access tickets (SAT) for the upcoming Confederations Cup in Russia will be offered to ‘obese persons’ at no extra cost.

For the first time, those with a body mass index (BMI) of 35kg/m² will join those with disabilities and wheelchair users in being eligible to purchase SATs for the popular football tournament, which acts as a prelude to next year’s World Cup.

According to organiser Fifa (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), those wishing to purchase “Obese Person Tickets [will require] presentation of a signed doctor’s note stating the person’s BMI”.

“For Obese Person Tickets, presentation of a signed doctor’s note stating the person’s BMI will be required”

However, unlike those with disabilities, obese persons will not be eligible for a +1 for a companion.

According to The Independent, Fifa first introduced extra-wide seats for overweight fans at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which were advertised with a 50% discount if a doctor’s note could be provided.

The Confederations Cup will run from 17 June to 2 July 2017, with the World Cup, also in Russia, following on 14 June–15 July 2018. There will be no concerts in the run-up to the event, with Fifa having banned live music in stadia an effort to prevent damage to pitches.

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