A member of FIFA’s executive committee was caught selling World Cup match tickets for three times their value and ordered home from the tournament as a result. Ismail Bhamjee of Botswana was uncovered through a sting operation by the “English Mail on Sunday” newspaper, which then produced the evidence to soccer’s ruling body.

Bhamjee confirmed in a written statement that he sold 12 category one tickets for the match between England and Trinidad & Tobago for 300 euros each, 200 euros above face value. “I deeply regret this incorrect act and apologize to FIFA for violating the relevant terms and conditions governing the sale of tickets for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,” he said in a statement.

FIFA have since ordered Bhamjee to resign from his World Cup- related duties and leave Germany at the earliest opportunity. Bhamjee has been a FIFA executive committee member since 1998 and serves as the deputy chairman of the associations committee and on the financial committee. He is the president of the Botswana Football Association and serves on the executive committee of Africa’s controlling body, CAF.

“I am very disappointed about the conduct of a member of the FIFA executive committee. In such a situation, FIFA acts immediately and firmly,” said FIFA president Joseph Blatter.