Argentina’s government joins World Cup sticker dispute

By: The Associated Press Posted: 12:56 PM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2022 Last Modified: 2:22 PM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2022

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BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina's government has joined the squabble between shop owners and the local manufacturers of popular but scarce World Cup sticker albums.

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BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina's government has joined the squabble between shop owners and the local manufacturers of popular but scarce World Cup sticker albums.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/09/2022 (1444 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina’s government has joined the squabble between shop owners and the local manufacturers of popular but scarce World Cup sticker albums.

Soccer fans in the South American nation have struggled to find the collectible stickers two months before the tournament kicks off in Qatar.

Argentina’s trade department convened a meeting Tuesday with representatives of the New Rita company which owns the rights for sticker manufacturer Panini’s products in the country, and members of the nation’s union of shop owners.

PSG's Lionel Messi reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the French League One soccer match between Lyon and Paris Saint Germain at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, central France, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

“We have opened a dialogue and engaged our legal and technical staffers to collaborate so we can find solutions,” the department said on Twitter. It did not list any concrete measures.

Shop owners blame the company for the scarcity of the stickers and argue that it is hampering a tradition allowing supermarkets, gas stations and apps to also sell Panini’s products. They also complain that the official price of 150 pesos ($1) for each five-sticker pack is not being respected by local distributors.

The albums and stickers went on sale Aug. 24 but quickly disappeared from stores, which fans initially attributed to a marketing strategy of the company. New Rita denied that and promised to end the scarcity rapidly.

Spokespeople of the company did not make comments about Tuesday’s meeting.