After telling them he was with FIFA, one of the fans reportedly asked him if he could get them tickets for the match with Trinidad & Tobago and he replied that he could.

The fans then allegedly contacted a Mail on Sunday reporter who purchased the tickets from Bhamjee at his hotel suite.

When told that his actions would be reported in the newspaper, Bhamjee is quoted as saying: "I was actually trying to help someone else and I got in this mess and I regret it very much. I will donate double the amount of money to charity.

"I could lose my pension because of this. I've been a fool. Spare me."

VERY DISAPPOINTED

Bhamjee was in any case due to leave the FIFA Executive Committee next January after failing to be re-elected at the congress of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo in January this year.

His position in African football was weakened considerably in 2004 when he made a bid for the presidency of the African Confederation and was humiliatingly beaten by 46-6 in the voting by incumbent president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon.

In Saturday's statement, FIFA president Blatter said: "I am very disappointed about the conduct of a member of the FIFA executive committee. In such a situation, FIFA acts immediately and firmly."

FIFA confirmed it had been presented with evidence of Bhamjee's actions by the Mail on Sunday.

"As an immediate reaction to this behaviour, FIFA's emergency committee under the chairmanship of President Blatter decided that Mr Bhamjee had to immediately resign from all FIFA World Cup-related duties and leave Germany at the earliest possible moment," the statement said.

Bhamjee said in the same FIFA statement: "I deeply regret this incorrect act and apologise to FIFA for violating the relevant terms and conditions governing the sale of tickets for the 2006 FIFA World Cup."