The Korean and Japanese governments have been embarrassed by the sight of thousands of empty seats at some of the games, and loss of face is a serious cultural taboo in both countries. A Korean government spokesman yesterday said a claim for damages was being considered against Byrom and today, Che-Min Rim, spokesman for the Korean Organising Committee (KOWOC), said an investigation was being launched into the issue.

Rim said: "The Korean government saw the pictures on the television and vacant seats in Busan and Gwangju were not good. They have expressed their deep concern about the situation. Based on the outcome of an investigation KOWOC will consider various measures to be taken and may if necessary include some kind of legal actions."

Meanwhile, in Japan a telephone hotline is to be opened to help fans who have been unable to apply for tickets on the website fifatickets.com, which has experienced problems due to demand. But Fifa's communications director Keith Cooper insisted there was not a serious problem with regard to tickets. "Crisis? What crisis?" he said, coming on all Jim Callaghan. "Generally, the tournament is going extraordinary well and we are very happy with the situation."

Cooper's laid-back response was not shared by one Japanese fan, who today smashed the glass door of a ticketing office and kicked a staff member before being hauled away by police. The man went to the ticketing centre at Saitama, north of Tokyo, to buy a ticket for today's game between Japan and Belgium after being unable to connect to the busy Fifa ticket website. But when he was told that the office only held tickets bought over the Internet, he lost his temper.