TICKET FIRM IN THE CLEAR
'Football bosses have defended a Greater Manchester firm over the ticketing fiasco that dogged the beginning of the World Cup.
Stockport-based Byrom was appointed by FIFA as the ticket agent for the tournament.
But many fans across the world were still without their tickets days before they were due to fly to Korea or Japan.
Stockport-based Byrom was appointed by FIFA as the ticket agent for the tournament.
But many fans across the world were still without their tickets days before they were due to fly to Korea or Japan.
FIFA vice president David Will insisted Byrom had saved the tournament from a major crisis and he directed most of the blame on the Japanese and Koreans.
Mr Will said: "Byrom has been subjected to an enormous amount of criticism. The truth is that it was Byrom who rescued the ticketing process from a crisis situation. The organising committees attacked Byrom, which was like attacking FIFA."
FIFA claim they did not receive final information on stadium seating plans from organisers until March - five months after the deadline.
"The late receipt and validation of the stadium inventories, allied with the failure of some national associations to observe deadlines, meant that Byrom had to complete six months' work in six weeks," Mr Will added.
Mr Will said: "Byrom has been subjected to an enormous amount of criticism. The truth is that it was Byrom who rescued the ticketing process from a crisis situation. The organising committees attacked Byrom, which was like attacking FIFA."
FIFA claim they did not receive final information on stadium seating plans from organisers until March - five months after the deadline.
"The late receipt and validation of the stadium inventories, allied with the failure of some national associations to observe deadlines, meant that Byrom had to complete six months' work in six weeks," Mr Will added.
"They managed to do so thanks to an extraordinary effort. Even so, we were inevitably a full month later than we had planned in the printing and the delivery of tickets."
Byrom spokesman Ged Holmes said the company, run by brothers Jaime and Enrique Byrom from an office block in Cheadle Hulme, was delighted by FIFA's strong statement of support.
"We are very happy the facts are now out in the open and FIFA have seen fit to make this announcement," he said.
Mr Will added lessons had been learned and there would be major changes before the 2006 World Cup in Germany.'
Byrom spokesman Ged Holmes said the company, run by brothers Jaime and Enrique Byrom from an office block in Cheadle Hulme, was delighted by FIFA's strong statement of support.
"We are very happy the facts are now out in the open and FIFA have seen fit to make this announcement," he said.
Mr Will added lessons had been learned and there would be major changes before the 2006 World Cup in Germany.'