Payment issues with 2019 Rugby World Cup tickets have left many fans unable to purchase their passes to the international event in Japan.
The local organising committee assured applicants that they are working out an alternative for their sales and delivery, despite the initial sales phase having closed on Wednesday.
As the first sales window closed, World Rugby announced it had received 864,000 applications from fans in more than 100 countries, with 300,000 tickets allocated via an initial ballot.
It was reported that many fans received a ‘system error’ message on their online application and then lost the ‘pay button’ on the service.
In addition to the problems online, many fans reported that emails and phone calls went unanswered. 
“We are aware of the problem and will be issuing instructions to fans who have had problems,” a spokesman for Japan Rugby 2019 said on Thursday.
“The problem is to do with security with the credit card company. A lot of the payments are for large sums of money and these have not been processed.”
The spokesman said applicants who had not been able to pay for tickets they had won in the ballot would not see them reallocated.
“We are working on an alternative solution,” he said.
A spokesman for World Rugby told Kyodo News: “We are aware of a very small number of fans who are experiencing difficulties with payments for tickets secured during the recent team and stadium pack phase. Fans are the beating heart of any Rugby World Cup and we have asked that JR 2019 prioritise this small group to ensure any issues are resolved and payment can be made despite the window having closed.”
Unsuccessful applicants for the initial phase will have further chances to apply for tickets later this year and in 2019.
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