Police probe 'disabled' World Cup fans

Overcome with excitement during Brazil’s opening game of the World Cup, two fans jump to their feet for a better view.

The reaction would have been totally innocuous – had they not been sitting in wheelchairs moments earlier.

Authorities in Brazil are investigating after pictures emerged of dozens of supposedly disabled fans standing up during matches.

With tickets few and far between, it is feared the concession seats are being sold on the black market, denying the spots to those who genuinely need them.

Before the World Cup started, Fifa released cheaper tickets specifically for pensioners, students and disabled fans.

But fans have taken pictures of youths and apparently able people occupying the seats.

The photographs have been uploaded on to social media sites, where they have spread across the world.

Some joked that they were copying the Lou and Andy sketch from television show Little Britain, in which a supposedly disabled man runs out of his wheelchair when his carer is not looking.

 

Brazil supporter Andrea Dias joked: ‘The World Cup is creating miracles.’

Lawyer Sonita Hayward wrote online: ‘Bet they’re not feeling so clever now.’

In Brazil, it is a criminal offence to sell a ticket for more than face value, with touts facing four years in prison if caught.

Despite this, many have been caught selling tickets illegally at grounds and on sites like Facebook.

The tickets are being bought in some cases for up to £1,000 for a game, which is as much as ten times their face value.

Disabled spots are thought to be particularly valuable because they come with a free extra ticket so wheelchair-users can come with a companion.

Among the pictures which have been uploaded online, some were taken at the opening game of the tournament in Sao Paulo, between Brazil and Croatia.

In total, police in Brazil are investigating 22 CCTV images which appear to show fans who have arrived at stadiums in wheelchairs standing up during the games. There are also about 30 pictures online of similar scenes taken by fans on smartphones.