'Don't be left in the lurch' World Cup fans warned

Several hundred England followers from the North-East are preparing to travel to Japan and South Korea for next month's jamboree.

Some are thought to be travelling on unofficial packages without back-up from travel protection schemes operated by the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol).

Both schemes offer full refunds if a company goes bankrupt and is unable to supply tickets or flights, leaving fans stranded.

Four years ago the collapse of London firm Great Portland Entertainments left hundreds of North-East fans in the lurch. The company promised to get any number of tickets for World Cup 98 in France, but was wound up, leaving fans at home.

Fans who booked directly through the company rather than with Abta or Atol-backed tour operators were unable to get refunds.

Newcastle fan Kevin Miles, the Football Supporters' Association international co-ordinator, said: "People should be making sure they are with reputable firms that have the protection of industry guarantors such as Abta or Atol, in case things go wrong."

Up to 8,000 England fans will be in Japan and South Korea for the World Cup with some paying up to £120 for match tickets and, on average, more than £800 for two or three-night stays.

Mr Miles said that a system operated in 1998 by World Cup organisers Fifa, which allowed operators to put in financial bids in order to be licensed by the organisation, had now been scrapped.

This meant that unscrupulous operators were now unable to sell travel packages at inflated prices under the Fifa banner.

Most tickets for the World Cup are being sold through the Football Association's membership scheme or from Fifa over the Internet.

But some black market sales are going on with some tickets being auctioned off to the highest bidder, he said.

England's first match kicks off on Sunday, June 2 against Sweden.

For information about Abta call (0207) 6372444. Atol is on (0207) 4536431.