ONLINE TICKET SITES ACCUSED OF CHARGING INFLATED FEES FOR POPULAR EVENTS
WEBSITES which facilitate the purchase and resale of tickets to Bollywood concerts and sports events have been criticised by campaigners over the booking fees they charge customers.
Sellers on the online platforms have also been accused of taking advantage of diehard fans with the prices they are setting for tickets for gigs and cricket matches.
On Viagogo, Britain’s biggest secondary ticketing website, a ticket to see Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s concert in Leicester in July ranged from £40-152, but that did not include a delivery fee, VAT and a booking fee. For the same gig, tickets started from £39.38 on Chilli Tickets with a £1 booking fee.
Last week, football’s ruling body FIFA filed a criminal complaint against Viagogo, saying it wanted to protect fans and prevent unauthorised ticket resales at the World Cup in Russia starting this week.
Zurich-based FIFA said last Tuesday (5) it had filed a complaint, based on the law on unfair competition, with the public prosecutor’s office in Geneva after complaints about the Swiss company’s practices.
FIFA said that its own website was the only legitimate place to buy World Cup tickets, which are on sale until July 15, the final day of the tournament.
Viagogo did not reply to a request for comment.
Jasmine Birtles, director of financial advice website MoneyMagpie, said she would like to see a campaign to ban booking fees.
She said: “I’m glad Eastern Eye is looking at this because it’s a ridiculous situation.
“Booking fees are a particular bugbear of mine, there really is no justification for them.
“Before the internet one might accept that there were costs involved in organising tickets, putting them in the post and so on.
“But now the consumer does all the work – choosing the seats, picking the time and date and putting in their own credit card details in. There is no extra effort made by the vendors so no justification for the booking fees, particularly when they are charged per ticket rather than per transaction.”
Birtles added: “As for the cost of the tickets, again, the consumer seems to have no option but to pay the inflated prices if they are only available on a few sites. It’s likely that we need more competition in this area so people can compare prices on a few sites competing with each other to bring the price down.”
Other examples showed a seller on the Seatwave website offering one ticket to see musician Arijit Singh at Wembley Arena in September for £900.
The price that sellers are charging online has also angered cricket fans who plan to watch India’s tour of England which starts in July.
Grounds, including Lord’s, have a ballot where people apply to buy a ticket, allowing some to cash in by reselling the tickets online.
A customer on Seatwave is selling a pair of tickets for the one-day international at Lord’s in July for £800 including a £145.98 fee.
For the same game, a seller on StubHub set a price of £570 each, plus a £111.15 fee.
Rakesh Patel, founder of the Bharat Army, told Eastern Eye the problem lies with cricket authorities.
“Unfortunately, the secondary ticket market is not something new to cricket fans. However, it seems when India come to town, an increased number of tickets fall into the wrong hands and ‘opportunists’ see this as a way of making some easy cash.
“The root of the problem is not the secondary market platforms, it’s the decision making on how tickets get distributed in the first place.
“The Bharat Army have managed to secure large blocks of tickets for all of India’s matches this summer by working closely with the ECB county grounds, apart from those matches at Lord’s.
“Most of our Bharat Army blocks are now sold out; however, a number of our members have chosen to boycott Lord’s and are refusing to pay the extortionate secondary ticket market prices – a real shame.”
The Citizens Advice consumer service helped with 1,000 queries relating to ticket resales last year. It advises consumers to buy a ticket from the event’s official seller or from the venue. Its recommendation is to also check the event or venue website to find out who the official sellers are and if they are a member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
In April, StubHub, GetMeIn and Seatwave pledged to give better information about the tickets they are selling after enforcement action by the competition watchdog. They agreed to make clear whether there is a risk a customer might be turned away at the door, which seat in the venue the customer will get, who is selling the ticket and the identity of the seller.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Viagogo is facing court action after “failing to address its concerns”.
Michael Grenfell, the CMA’s executive director for enforcement, said: “Thousands of people use secondary ticketing websites to buy tickets for concerts, theatre and other events. So it’s crucial they are told what they are buying, from whom they are buying it, and whether their ticket might not actually get them into the event.
“We welcome the changes already made and new commitments we’ve been given by StubHub, Seatwave and GetMeIn to improve the information on offer, so that people can better judge whether they’re getting a good deal.”
Websites including StubHub state the face value of tickets for events and have a disclaimer that “ticket prices are set by the sellers and may be higher than face value”.
In March, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ordered StubHub, Viagogo, Seatwave, and GetMeIn to make the total ticket price, VAT-inclusive booking fee and delivery fee clear at the start of the booking process. Viagogo was also barred from making a “100% Guarantee” claim in its ads which the ASA said misleadingly suggested consumers were guaranteed entry to a venue.
Last month, English singer Ed Sheeran and his promoters announced that tickets for his concerts sold on Viagogo would be deemed invalid.
A StubHub spokeswoman said: “As a consumer-first ticket marketplace, StubHub supports any measures which make ticket buying easier, more convenient and more transparent for fans.
“We welcome this opportunity to work closely with the ASA and we will be fully compliant with its decision. We hope that other players in the ticketing industry, including primary issuers, follow suit.”
Viagogo has yet to comment on the measures.
A spokeswoman for Ticketmaster, which owns Seatwave and GetMeIn, said: “Our ticket resale sites already ensure fans know exactly what they will pay at every stage of the buying process, displaying all fees as soon as the customer selects and submits the number of tickets they are looking to buy.
“We will continue to work with both the ASA and the CMA to further develop transparency and consumer protection within the UK ticketing sector.”
AT LEAST 45 people have died in Pakistan over the past few days due to flash flooding and heavy rainfall since the beginning of the monsoon season, according to disaster management officials on Sunday.
The highest number of deaths was reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. There, 21 people were killed, including 10 children.
According to the disaster management authority, 14 of those deaths occurred in the Swat Valley. Media reports said a flash flood in the valley swept away families who were on a riverbank.
In Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province bordering India, 13 people have died since Wednesday. Among them were eight children who were killed when walls or roofs collapsed during the heavy rainfall. The remaining adults died in flash floods.
Another eleven deaths linked to the monsoon rains were reported in Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
The national meteorological service has warned that the likelihood of heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding will remain high until at least Saturday.
Last month, severe storms led to the deaths of at least 32 people in Pakistan. The country has experienced several extreme weather events in recent months, including strong hailstorms in the spring.
Pakistan, home to around 240 million people, is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and is witnessing an increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
The UK is bracing for potentially one of the hottest June days on record
Temperatures may hit 34°C in Greater London and Bedfordshire
Amber alert in place across five regions due to health risks
Wimbledon’s opening day to be hottest on record
Risk of wildfires in London labelled “severe”
Scotland and Northern Ireland remain cooler
Hottest June day in years expected as second UK heatwave peaks
The UK is bracing for potentially one of the hottest June days on record, with temperatures expected to reach 34°C on Monday (30 June). The ongoing heatwave, now in its fourth day, is most intense across the South and East of England, particularly in Greater London and Bedfordshire.
Although there is a small chance of temperatures hitting 35°C, they are unlikely to surpass the all-time June record of 35.6°C set in 1976.
Amber health alerts and travel impact
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has kept an amber heat-health alert in place across London, the East of England, the South East, South West and East Midlands. The alert, in effect since Friday, warns of increased strain on health services and a higher risk of death among vulnerable groups.
Yellow alerts have been issued for the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, where the impact is expected to be less severe.
The high temperatures may cause travel delays, particularly in the areas covered by the amber alert.
Events issue heat guidance
Glastonbury Festival organisers have advised attendees to leave the site before early Monday to avoid the rising heat. Wimbledon is also expected to experience its hottest opening day in the tournament's history.
Night-time temperatures will offer little relief, staying around 20°C into Tuesday in many southern regions.
Wildfire threat in London
The London Fire Brigade has described the wildfire risk as “severe”. Assistant Commissioner Thomas Goodall said the combination of intense heat and low rainfall in recent weeks has created dangerous conditions for fires to spread quickly.
Cooler in Scotland and Northern Ireland
While much of England swelters, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to remain relatively cool, with temperatures between 17°C and 22°C and rain moving in later on Monday.
This is the UK’s second official heatwave of the year. A heatwave is defined by the Met Office when specific regional temperature thresholds—between 25°C and 28°C—are met for three consecutive days.
Keep ReadingShow less
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
INDIA’s junior civil aviation minister said on Sunday that all possible angles, including sabotage, were being looked into as part of the investigation into the Air India crash.
All but one of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were killed when it crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. Authorities have identified 19 others who died on the ground. However, a police source told AFP after the crash that the death toll on the ground was 38.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told NDTV that the investigation was examining “all angles”, including sabotage, in response to a specific question about the possibility.
“It has never happened before that both engines have shut off together,” Mohol said in the same interview, referring to speculation about a dual-engine failure.
He said it would be premature to draw conclusions before the final report is released.
A team investigating the crash began extracting and analysing data from the plane’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder this week to reconstruct the events leading to the crash.
Air India said the aircraft was “well-maintained” and that the pilots were experienced.
“It (the plane crash) was an unfortunate incident. The AAIB has begun a full investigation into it... It is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage. The CCTV footage is being reviewed and all angles are being assessed... several agencies are working on it,” Mohol told NDTV.
Mohol said the extraction and analysis of the data was underway at a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Delhi.
Keep ReadingShow less
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)
Keep ReadingShow less
Police officials visit the site after a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple, in Puri, Odisha, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (PTI Photo)
AT LEAST three people, including two women, died and around 50 others were injured in a stampede near the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, Indian, on Sunday (29) morning, according to local officials.
The incident occurred around 4am (local time) as hundreds of devotees gathered to witness the Rath Yatra (chariot festival), Puri district collector Siddharth S Swain confirmed.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Six are in a critical condition, and remain unconscious, hospital officials said.
According to authorities, chaos broke out after two trucks carrying materials for religious rituals entered the densely packed area near the temple chariots of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities. Many devotees had assembled in the early hours to catch a glimpse of the deities when the 'Pahuda' (ceremonial cloth) covering their faces was to be removed.
The victims were identified as Basanti Sahu (36) from Bolagarh, and Premakant Mohanty (80) and Pravati Das (42) from Balipatna.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a public apology via social media platform X, seeking forgiveness from devotees for the tragedy.
"Due to the intense eagerness of devotees to see Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath), an unfortunate incident occurred amid the jostling and confusion. My government and I apologise to all devotees. We extend our condolences to the bereaved families and pray to Lord Jagannath to give them strength to bear this grief," he posted.
Majhi added that any security lapses would be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible would face strict action.
“This negligence is unpardonable. I have ordered an immediate inquiry and directed officials to take strong, exemplary action against those found guilty,” he said.
Odisha’s law minister, Prithviraj Harichandan, confirmed that the director general of police, Y B Khurania, is leading the investigation. He also said the situation at the Gundicha Temple has returned to normal and devotees are now offering prayers peacefully.
Majhi chaired an emergency meeting with his deputies to assess the situation and review safety measures.
Opposition leader and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik criticised the state government, calling the stampede “a glaring failure of administration.”
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who lost their lives. This tragedy, coming a day after chaotic scenes during the Rath Yatra in which hundreds were reportedly injured, shows the government’s inability to manage the event,” he wrote on X.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the incident, blaming it on “negligence and mismanagement.”
“I am deeply saddened by the stampede during the Rath Yatra, which has claimed three lives and left at least 50 injured. This comes after reports that 500 devotees were injured just a day earlier. The failure to ensure crowd safety is inexcusable,” he posted.
Health officials said one critically injured person has been transferred to SCB Medical College in Cuttack, while five others remain in intensive care.
A bereaved husband, whose wife died in the stampede, told reporters that many people fell while rushing to see the deities. “There were no police officers around. An ambulance was parked about a kilometre away, and we had to carry the injured to it ourselves,” he said.
On Saturday (28), the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra had reached the Gundicha Temple, considered the “aunt’s home” of the deities. The chariots had begun their journey from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, 2.6 km away, as part of the annual festival.
The return journey, known as the 'Bahuda Yatra', is scheduled to take place on July 5.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)