FSF Development Officer Steven Powell (himself a Gooner) explained, “As part of FIFA's sponsorship deal with MasterCard, Visa, Amex and Diners' Club cards are not accepted. This is a REAL problem as most debit cards are part of the Visa group so it means having to use a credit card which many people don't like to do. The only alternative is an international money transfer which costs a LOT.
“If the tickets weren't already expensive enough this is yet another financial burden on supporters and a barrier to the people who actually want to go to the games, rather than the corporate liggers who infest big tournaments these days, as well as providing a ready source of tickets for the touts.
“This will particularly affect those Arsenal supporters who follow the English national side. There are lots of English and Welsh fans who like to attend matches at major tournaments involving teams other than their own. In my case as a Welshman attending matches in big finals as a neutral is compulsory! Seriously though, whether Arsenal supporters want to attend England or any other games in Germany 2006 they're going to have to put up with these charges, which are unfair and almost certainly unlawful under European and domestic legislation. That's why we joined with Which? In opposing them.
I hope all Gooners will take a view minutes to make their views known via the FSF website poll. Make sure you let all your Arsenal mates know about it too.”