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World Cup pitch to be sold to fans

The World Cup may be the greatest spectacle ever, it may draw the world's highest sports audience of all time -- but for organisers, it is proving to be a financial nightmare.

Estimates indicate that the total loss will be in the vicinity of £130 million.

In a bid to make good at least part of the deficit, French organisers plan to literally sell off the pitch on which, Sunday, the host nation will take on the defending champions, Brazil, in what could be a hugely emotional final.

This is, interestingly enough, France's first entry into the final -- an honour even the famed team led by Michel Platini failed to achieve.

The owners of the Stade de France, the stadium erected for the World Cup competition, will cut the field into two-inch squares, which fans can buy for £12 apiece.

Projected estimates indicate that the sale of the turf could net £43.2 million -- a drop in the bucket compared to the overall loss, but it's still a start.

One worry for the organisers is a French defeat, which might dampen interest in the home fans and prompt them to keep their wallets in their pockets. A French win -- which, if it comes, will be against the odds -- could, however, see the pitch being snapped up in a trice.

Amazingly, given the magnitude of the loss, the event is expected to generate maximum revenue of £810 million -- a record.