ROBBIE Earle, a veteran of Jamaica's 1998 World Cup campaign, has been fired from his job as a pundit for British broadcaster ITV, after allegedly passing on tickets to a third party, against FIFA rules.

The "substantial number" of tickets for Monday's match between the Netherlands and Denmark, allocated to him for family and friends, were reportedly used by a Dutch beer company Bavaria NV.

Robbie Earle celebrates scoring the equaliser for Jamaica against Croatia in the Reggae Boyz's first game of the France 1998 World Cup. Croatia eventually won 3-1



Barbara Castelein, left, and Mierte, both from Neatherlands, walk after an interview outside the Soccer City stadium Soccer City in Johannesburg, today. FIFA is defending itself for questioning 36 women who showed up for a World Cup match in orange mini-dresses that are the symbol of a beer advertising campaign in the Netherlands.

In that same match 36 women were ejected from the stadium for allegedly carrying out "ambush marketing" for that company. Several of the women were carrying tickets from Earle's allocation.

"a substantial number of tickets allocated to Robbie Earle for family and friends have been passed to a third party in breach of FIFA rules," said ITV in a statement. "As a result, Robbie Earles contract with ITV has been terminated with immediate effect."

The women were all wearing matching tight dresses in the Netherlands' national colour of orange and attracted significant media attention.

Under the rules of football's governing body, the tickets were forbidden to be sold on to third parties. FIFA says that it is looking into "all available legal remedies" against Bavaria NV.

Earle has established himself in football journalism following a creditable club career with Port Vale and Wimbledon in England, the country of his birth. He decided to play for Jamaica by virtue of his Jamaican parentage.

The 45-year-old made history when he scored Jamaica's first ever World Cup goal against Croatia. He played 33 times for Jamaica between 1997 and 2000, scoring eight times.