PersonBE

Marco Scialdone

Euroconsumers lawyer who co-filed the EU competition case against FIFA.

Last refreshed: 30 March 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can EU competition law force FIFA to freeze its 2026 World Cup ticket prices?

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Fans file EU competition case vs FIFA

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Common Questions

Who is Marco Scialdone?: Marco Scialdone is a competition lawyer at Euroconsumers, the Brussels-based consumer advocacy group. In March 2026 he co-filed a formal EU competition complaint against FIFA over abusive 2026 World Cup ticketing practices.Source: Euroconsumers
What complaint did Euroconsumers file against FIFA?: On 24 March 2026, Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe lodged a complaint with the European Commission alleging FIFA violates Article 102 TFEU through six abuses: excessive pricing, bait advertising of $60 tickets, uncapped Dynamic pricing, opacity on seat locations, artificial urgency, and 15% resale fees charged to both buyer and seller.Source: Euroconsumers / FSE complaint
What relief is Scialdone seeking from the European Commission?: Scialdone is seeking two emergency measures: a freeze on April 2026 World Cup ticket prices at December 2025 levels, and a requirement that FIFA publish seat availability data 48 hours before each sales window opens.Source: Euroconsumers complaint
Is the FIFA ticketing complaint the first under EU competition law?: Yes. The March 2026 filing by Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe is the first time fan and consumer organisations have jointly invoked Article 102 TFEU against football's governing body over ticketing.Source: Euroconsumers / FSE complaint
How does this FIFA complaint differ from previous fan challenges to ticketing?: Previous challenges have been political or reputational. This complaint uses Article 102 TFEU, giving the European Commission binding enforcement powers if it accepts the case, including the ability to impose fines and require FIFA to change its commercial practices.Source: Euroconsumers

Background

Marco Scialdone is a legal expert at Euroconsumers, the Brussels-based consumer advocacy group. He specialises in competition law and digital rights, representing millions of consumers across Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil in proceedings before European institutions.

In March 2026, Scialdone co-filed a formal competition complaint with the European Commission alongside Football Supporters Europe, alleging FIFA abuses its dominant market position in 2026 World Cup ticketing. The complaint invokes Article 102 TFEU and identifies six distinct abuses: uncapped dynamic pricing, bait advertising of largely unavailable $60 tickets, and 15% resale fees charged to both parties.

The filing is the first time consumer and fan organisations have jointly invoked EU treaty law against football's governing body. Scialdone seeks emergency relief: a freeze on April 2026 sale prices at December 2025 levels and mandatory seat availability disclosures 48 hours before sales windows open, placing him at the centre of a landmark regulatory confrontation with FIFA.

Source Material

Euroconsumers — Official Website Football Supporters Europe — Official Website

How the World Sees Them

FIFA

FIFA has defended its tiered pricing model as a means of widening global access and managing demand across diverse markets. The Euroconsumers complaint directly challenges that framing, alleging the $60 category seats are largely unavailable bait.

Fan organisations

Football Supporters Europe has long challenged FIFA ticketing practices through political pressure and public advocacy. The March 2026 Euroconsumers partnership marks a decisive shift to formal legal enforcement, combining EU standing with documented consumer harm.

Consumer advocates

European consumer groups have historically avoided direct legal confrontation with sports governing bodies. This complaint tests whether Article 102 TFEU can impose antitrust obligations on organisations that operate as de facto monopolies in their markets.

European Commission

As the body receiving the complaint, the Commission must decide whether to open a formal investigation into FIFA ticketing under Article 102 TFEU. A positive ruling would be the first EU antitrust action against a global football governing body.