Organizers of Dutch minidress model scheme arrested

The story of ITV pundit Robbie Earle getting fired for passing his tickets for Monday's Netherlands vs. Denmark match to a Dutch beer company Bavaria has gotten even stranger. Two women have been arrested by Johannesburg police for their alleged role in sending a group of over 30 women in orange minidresses to advertise on behalf of the brewer.

The women are being prosecuted under the Contravention of Merchandise Marks Act which covers ambush marketing, when a company benefits from an event without paying for advertising.

South African police arrested the women at their hotel in the Johannesburg district of Roodepoort on Wednesday.

“We view ambush marketing in a very serious light and we urge people not to embark on these ambush campaigns,” police said in a statement.

The women appeared at Johannesburg Magistrates Court and were released on bail of 10,000 rand ($1300) each, with their next court appearance set for Monday.

FIFA claims it didn't press charges against the two women who are accused of organizing the stunt, but with all that's keeping South African police busy at the moment, it seems odd that it would pursue such an innocuous case without a bit of encouragement. And that kind of encouragement seems well within FIFA's iron-fisted protection of its official sponsors — sponsors like Budweiser, which paid millions to be the official beer of the World Cup.

And while FIFA denies pressing charges against those Dutch ladies, Robbie Earle — the man who passed on the tickets that started this whole mess — denies profiting from the transaction in any way. Says Earle:

"Call me naive but I didn't think I was doing anything wrong.

"I hope when people hear the full story they will see me in a different light."

Yes, Robbie, people will be very interested to hear that full story when it does come out. Anything involving 30 Dutch women in orange minidresses tends to get attention.

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'Oranje' mini dress models

Australia withdraw 2018 World Cup bid

Australia have pulled out of bidding for the 2018 World Cup after failing to win the support of the Asian Football Confederation.

"It became apparent that there was a growing movement to stage the 2018 World Cup in Europe," said FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke. The FFA [Football Federation Australia] has displayed an exemplary level of solidarity with Europe and the European bidding nations.

"Their announcement, therefore, to henceforth focus solely on bidding for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is a welcome gesture that is much appreciated by FIFA leadership and executive committee. We wish to thank the FFA and the Australian government."

Frank Lowy, the FFA's chairman, confirmed the decision to concentrate on 2022. He said: "We have been in discussion with FIFA for months and it is that trusting relationship with the leadership of the governing body that has caused us to focus on 2022 and decide to leave the field for 2018 to European contenders."

The current competition is between England, Russia, and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium. The USA are also in the race but Valcke and Lowy's comments would suggest their hopes hang by a thread.

Maradona gives Argentina a painful punishment

As tension builds ahead of the start of a tournament that's taken four years to finally get here, some managers are lashing out at the press, while others are moaning about how their country is never the favorite to win, but Maradona - for his madness and insanely expensive toilet seats - has decided to keep things fun.

After a little training session intra-squad match, Maradona let the winning side fire shots at the losing side's rears and even bent over for a bit of punishment himself. Granted, this activity isn't terribly unusual and can be spotted at training grounds everywhere, but it's not the type of thing you typically see days before playing in the World Cup. 

Vodafone - Australian cricket team's new sponsor for Ashes

In the first official announcement surrounding the upcoming Ashes Series, cricketing greats including captain Ricky Ponting, vice captain Michael Clarke, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger, Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson gathered at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to announce Vodafone as the new sponsor of the Ashes Series.

Vodafone’s sponsorship of the Australian Test Team and forthcoming Ashes Series represents a changing of the guard following 3 mobile’s proud sponsorship of the Australian Test Team over the last seven years.

As part of the Vodafone and 3 mobile merger, which was completed in 2009, Vodafone Hutchison Australia will increase the prevalence of Vodafone branding to the Australian and worldwide cricket audience, while offering exclusive cricket content and behind the scenes footage to more than seven million Vodafone and 3 mobile customers in Australia during the Ashes Series.

Australian Cricket Captain, Ricky Ponting said: “I’ve never been more excited about an Australian summer than I am about this one.

"The Australian Cricket Team is focussed on regaining the Ashes and we are delighted to have the support of Vodafone as we embark on a wonderful summer of exciting cricket against the old enemy.”

Australian vice captain Michael Clarke was also announced as the new Vodafone ambassador, further cementing Vodafone’s passion for Australian cricket.

Painting the town red in his new whites, the new Vodafone logo for the player’s marked the official launch of the legendary cricket battle between Australia and England, which will begin in November this year.

Commenting on the series, Australian vice captain and Vodafone brand ambassador, Michael Clarke, said: “The team are training phenomenally hard in the lead up to the Vodafone Ashes Series and we’re more than ready to take on England in November.

"This is such an exciting time for Australian cricket and we’re delighted more people across Australia will be sharing that excitement with the team.”

                                        Australian players pose with the new Test kit and team sponsor

The Vodafone Ashes Series between Australia and England is from 25 November 2010 to 7 January 2011, kicking off at The Gabba.