South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper reported that petrochemical giant Sasol and dozens of South African and foreign fans have lost more than 6.5 million rand ($852,500) in World Cup scams after buying tickets from illegal dealers.
"We have no specific comments on the issue of buying tickets outside FIFA channels," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said at a media briefing on Sunday, adding that FIFA should not take the blame for millions lost by fans and companies.
"Honestly, we have published I don't know how many warnings before the competition, even before 2006."
Danish national Michael Bakkerstrom and German Siv Anne Basley appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court this week for allegedly selling tickets illegally for Euroteam.
Despite the crackdown, Euroteam put an advert in the Sunday Times's sister newspaper, The Times, on Friday, saying: "World Cup 2010 Tickets. All matches including the final."
"No one should buy tickets outside the official channels. First, you put yourself in an illegal situation and, second, you might not enter the stadium," Maingot said.
Jacqui O'Sullivan, Sasol's spokeswomen, confirmed the company was defrauded of millions by illegal ticketing dealers.
"I cannot comment further on a legal matter," O'Sullivan said, when asked whether Sasol was planning to sue the company that sold them illegal tickets.
"FIFA is also working closely with New Scotland Yard in the UK in shutting down several fraudulent and unauthorised websites," FIFA said in a statement.
