ITV hit by more controversy as Robbie Earle sacked for alleged misuse of free tickets
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:49 PM on 15th June 2010
Add to My Stories World Cup pundit Robbie Earle has been axed from his position on ITV after tickets for matches in South Africa were found to have been used for 'unauthorised purposes'.
The broadcaster said a 'substantial number' of tickets, which were for Earle's friends and family, had been passed to a 'third party'.
ITV had investigated how its allocation had been used after governing body Fifa raised concerns generally.
Sacked: A 'substantial number' of tickets, which were for Earle's friends and family, had been passed to a 'third party', according to ITV
A block of tickets for the Holland-Denmark match had aroused suspicions.
Earle is a former Wimbledon and Port Vale player who also played for Jamaica in the World Cup in 1998.
In a statement, ITV said: 'Following claims by Fifa that official 2010 World Cup tickets may have been used for ambush marketing, ITV has reviewed its entire ticket allocation for the tournament.
'Immediate investigations indicated that a block of ITV tickets would appear to have been used for unauthorised purposes during the Holland v Denmark match.
Not so great Dane: The investigation looked at the match between Holland and Denmark
'Further inquiries have revealed that 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.
'As a result, Robbie Earle's contract with ITV has been terminated with immediate effect.'
A spokesman for Earle's agent said there was no comment at this stage.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286785/WORLD-CUP-2010-ITV-hit-controversy-Robbie-Earle-sacked-alleged-misuse-free-tickets.html#ixzz0qvn190VM (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286785/WORLD-CUP-2010-ITV-hit-controversy-Robbie-Earle-sacked-alleged-misuse-free-tickets.html#ixzz0qvn190VM)
talk about 'beating around the bush', just say he was profiting from those tickets rather than the less clear statement of 'unauthorized purposes'....makes it almost sound like they were used to help facilitate drug deals or match fixing schemes.
All I can say is ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Brilliant! Another mindnumbingly dull and moronic pundit given the heave-ho!
Andy Townsend in Ladyboy Bondage shocker???
Quote from: os5889 on June 15, 2010, 03:41:00 PM
Andy Townsend in Ladyboy Bondage shocker???
He's far too dull for such a good story ;-)
TW
They should've really sacked him for being rubbish.
Still, good to see someone getting done for touting.
Well that was a bit dull for a first half. What did you think African Player
AHHR WAS good he play offside but hey.
And what do you think Ex English Player
HOLL WAS bad he well you know cause wewl you know
Thanks Kevin and what did our pundit Robbie think?
Should have got more money for this ticket.
Why should a TV pundit get allocated dozens of tickets?
2 or 3 for wife and kids I can understand but that many? Multiply by however many pundits there are and you wonder how they fit anyone else in.
I quite liked Robbie Earle. Head and shoulders above Andy Townsend.
Jack Warner will be fuming...
Quote from: richie17 on June 15, 2010, 08:45:31 PM
Jack Warner will be fuming...
Yes, fuming that someone has tried to muscle in on his act - allegedly! :dft012:
Quote from: Chopper on June 15, 2010, 08:33:40 PM
I quite liked Robbie Earle. Head and shoulders above Andy Townsend.
agreed, wonder if he'll still be on press pass espn show?
