Charges dropped against 'ambush marketing' pair

Charges against two Dutch women accused of ambush marketing at the World Cup tournament were dropped yesterday after Fifa and the Dutch brewery Bavaria reached an out-of-court settlement.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the two parties made representations to the prosecution and acting director of public prosecution Xoli Khanyile decided to withdraw the charges.

"Fifa showed unwillingness to proceed with the matter after they reached a settlement with Bavaria," he said.

"I cannot divulge the details of the settlement as we were not party to it. Confidentiality is maintained at all costs."

Barbara Castelein and Mirthe Nieuwpoort were arrested last week with 34 other women at Soccer City during a match between the Netherlands and Denmark.

All were wearing orange dresses associated with Bavaria.

The pair were charged with contravening the Merchandise Marks Act and special measures regulation and released on R10,000 ($1865) bail each.

The other women were not charged.

Fifa said it would make a public a statement on the settlement, but did not say when.