Firm says it abused market position

China's industry and commerce authority announced on Friday it has halted an anti-monopoly probe into the official FIFA 2014 World Cup ticketing agency in China after the company admitted to abusing its market dominance.

The Shankai Sports International was found to have coupled the sale of World Cup tickets with the sale of hotel, transportation and tourism services in Brazil in an expensive package, according to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

The company later admitted that its actions violated China's anti-monopoly law and said it has taken remedial measures, which halted the probe, the authority said.

The authority added that it could punish the company if it fails to make good on its promises.

Shankai has been the sole proprietor for the hospitality package deals - which includes individual tickets to matches, food and beverages, multilingual hostesses and parking for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - to customers on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.

The company obtained the rights from Switzerland-based MATCH Services AG, which was appointed by the International Federation of Association Football, or FIFA, to provide ticketing, accommodation and event information technology services for the World Cup.

5-meter-high World Cup on display in Suzhou	Chinese lotteries to score during World Cup