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Associated Press

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - Trinidad and Tobago's government asked the country's soccer federation for World Cup tickets on Friday amid allegations of cronyism and ticket price gouging against a top soccer official.

Roger Boynes, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, made the request in a letter to Oliver Camps, head of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.

"In the circumstances, the government will be approaching your organization with a view to acquiring a bloc of tickets for the respective games as it is the government's intention to arrange charters with the national airline," Boynes wrote.

Camps confirmed his office received the letter, but said he hadn't yet seen it. He didn't know how many tickets the government wanted, but said he previously told Boynes that anyone who applied for tickets would be considered.

The government's request follows a ticket dispute in the twin-island nation, which will make its first trip to the World Cup in Germany.

The Trinidad and Tobago Express published allegations this week charging that the sole agency selling World Cup tickets in Trinidad was owned by the family of FIFA vice president Jack Warner, also a senior adviser to the national federation.

That connection prompted allegations of unfair practices from some fans but Warner said the criticism was personal and political.

The Warner family's agency, Simpaul Travel Service Ltd., had offered a US$4,785 travel package which included tickets for three games, hotel accommodation for 12 nights, and team souvenirs, according to Simpaul's Web site.

Tickets couldn't be purchased separately, although fans who didn't want the package deal could purchase tickets directly from FIFA.

On Friday, the Simpaul Web site offered a travel package for the World Cup which didn't include tickets, stating: "Match tickets are not included and you must source these directly from TTFF (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation) or via the FIFA Web site."

He didn't return phone calls placed by The Associated Press on Friday.

Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors play Sweden, England and Paraguay in the first round of the World Cup, which starts on June 9.