Fifa has been forced to take drastic ticketing measures and move fans around in stadiums to prove the impending Club World Cup is a success, according to reports.
The revamped international club tournament has been marred by controversy since the announcement of its new format.
Fans have questioned whether the expanded tournament is even necessary - while players' unions have been scathing of the tournament.
Fifpro, the union representing players worldwide, has complained over circumstances in which the winning team would be forced to play an additional seven games after an already extended season.
The Club World Cup is set to commence on Sunday with Lionel Messi's Inter MiamiGETTY
And now, according to Mail Sport, Fifa has been forced to move fans around the stadium to face TV cameras amid growing concerns over poor ticket sales.
With stadiums not selling out, FIfa is said to think that moving fans would give the illusion of full stands to television viewers.
It has also been confirmed that all tickets which have been reallocated will be moved to seats that are at least equally priced to the original tickets.
It's not just tickets being shifted around - organisers are also being forced to sell ballots at cut-price rates.
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The opening game between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
REUTERS
For the tournament’s opener on early Sunday morning, which sees Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami take on Egyptian champions Al-Ahly in Florida, tickets started at $349 (£257) when the draw was made in December.
Just six months later, however, students at a local college have been offered one ticket for just $20.
Not only that, but buying the ticket would come with four complimentary tickets - meaning one ticket would cost a mere $4.
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A Fifa spokesman said: "The Fifa Club World Cup is the start of a new era in global club football.
“By making the bold move of creating this new, truly global competition, Fifa is bringing together giants of the club game and spotlighting many new and successful clubs from all continents - introducing them to fans in the United States and to a broader global audience.
“We anticipate great attendances and electric atmospheres at its inaugural edition, with excitement growing with every round of matches and the tournament ultimately standing as the undisputed pinnacle of club world football.
“The appetite speaks for itself: fans from over 130 countries have already purchased tickets.”
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Fifa president Gianni Infantino was the mastermind behind the new Club World Cup format
PA
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has tried to manage expectations for ticket sales, insisting to the media that he believes more fans will be more interested once the tournament gets underway.
And the ballot is not the only controversy the new Club World Cup format is facing.
Fifa agreed to a £787million-valued TV deal with broadcaster Dazn to show games across the world.
Then, just days after the TV deal was announced, Surj, a firm owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, announced a £750million investment in Dazn.
Saudi Arabia had been confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup just two months prior to the investment.
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