Seven Bermuda-based football fans have had their hopes dashed of seeing any matches at the World Cup -- despite spending thousands of dollars on tickets.

The group of supporters ordered their tickets from a London-based agent which cashed in takings worth 2.4 million -- but is now set to go bust.

Liquidators have taken over Great Portland Entertainments after the company sold 40,000 seats to fans, but only obtained up to 17,000 tickets.

Fans from all over the world have now been left ticketless, despite paying in advance. An official receiver was appointed to look into the matter on Thursday.

One England supporter based here splashed out nearly $15,000 on 49 tickets for six matches, but the fan, who works for an insurance firm, will not see a ball kicked in anger and now goes to France knowing he can only watch games on TV.

He said at least six of his friends in Bermuda also booked tickets using the same UK travel agents who ordered from Great Portland. But the agents are understood to have an insurance policy -- so the group should be able to recoup its cash.

The big-spending fan who thought he had secured 49 tickets said: "There are several of us here in Bermuda who ordered tickets but are now left disappointed.

"I recommended the travel agent and some of my friends have been buying tickets from them, too.

"I spent around $300 on each ticket -- so it was an outlay of almost $15,000 -- and they were going to cover six group games in Montpellier and Marseille.'' He said the tickets were for matches involving England, Brazil, Italy, Germany and Holland -- five of the favourites for the World Cup.

His Bermuda-based friends, who included Bermudians, had ordered tickets for matches involving England, Scotland and other teams, he added.

"Another half dozen have bought tickets and some of them are Bermudians, too,'' he added.

"I don't think we have lost the money because the travel agent has an insurance policy.

"I'm still going to the south of France to enjoy my holiday. I could have stayed in Bermuda and watched it on TV but I'm sure it will be much nicer in a rented villa.

"I'm sure the French will have the matches on television, as well. But I'm very disappointed not to be able to see the games because that was the whole idea of going.'' The British Department of Trade and Industry promised action when it became clear Great Portland could not cover all its tickets. The DTI stopped the firm from trading and is now investigating.

Liquidators have taken over Great Portland until a special hearing on June 22.

The issue of World Cup tickets for British fans has been controversial, with fans complaining they have not been able to get enough tickets through official channels.

Thirty-two Euro MPs complained official sales favoured the French, but a Paris court dismissed their case on technical grounds.

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