World Cup stadium fury as Fifa face backlash for selling final PITCH and charging fans £2,240 for tiny piece of turf

FIFA have come under fire once more as they put tiny pieces of MetLife Stadium’s turf up for sale and charge fans an exorbitant amount. The home of the New York Giants and New York Jets will host the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain tonight in New Jersey. Fifa have put tiny pieces of MetLife Stadium’s turf up for sale Credit: FIFA Official Store Fifa are charging football fans between £335 to an audacious £2,240 Credit: FIFA Official Store And the football governing body began selling small pieces of the pitch online from a whopping £335 to an audacious £2,240. And according to The Athletic, Fifa stand to generate more than a staggering £8.3m in revenue thanks to that initiative. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! That led to a furious response from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill as state taxpayers have already paid for the field. Sherill claims a staggering £9.7m has already been splashed in taxes to ensure the pitch would be up to Fifa‘s standard. Steve Sigmund, a spokesperson for the Governor’s office, told The Athletic: “As the Governor has said, New Jersey paid multiple millions for the total expense for the pitch at MetLife Stadium, so New Jersey taxpayers should share in any proceeds.” Even New Jersey Assembly Republicans agreed with Sherrill – a Democrat – and Assemblyman Mike Inganamort lashed out at Fifa stating this is the “final insult” Inganamort said: “Fifa needs to get off our turf, literally. New Jersey taxpayers funded $13m in upgrades to MetLife Stadium, including replacing the artificial turf with grass. “Additionally, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority holds the stadium’s land lease. Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS “This is state-owned property. Fifa can’t just sell off the soccer pitch without permission. What is happening is not just a bad deal for the taxpayers of New Jersey, it’s illegal. “The Sherrill administration must use every tool at their disposal to stop Fifa from selling off our field, including seeking a restraining order. “It is American-grown grass paid for by the taxpayers of New Jersey and planted at a state-owned complex. “The sale must follow all the rules and laws that dictate how state surplus property is sold. “It must benefit New Jersey taxpayers — not Fifa or a host committee that splits resources across New Jersey and New York. “Fifa’s World Cup was bankrolled by New Jersey taxpayers, and they have walked all over us. This is the final insult. It is time this administration stands up to them.” Sources close to Fifa and the joint host committee claimed they are only partially responsible They added the host committee will receive the majority of the proceeds, which will go back into continued investments in the region. A Fifa spokesperson said: “To clarify, the turf sale initiative is a host city-led initiative, not a Fifa revenue driver as incorrectly reported in recent days. “Fifa receives a nominal royalty fee (<5 per cent) for use of its IP, but a larger share of the revenue generated by this program goes to the NYNJ Host City Committee. “In addition, only approximately five yards of turf will be utilised for this program. Claims that Fifa stands to generate $11m in revenue are categorically false.” Fifa and its president Gianni Infantino have received intense criticism throughout the World Cup stemming from high ticket prices, Iran’s treatment by US authorities, key figures like referee Omar Artan being denied visas and USA star Folarin Balogun’s red card being lifted. Comment now