The president of the Colombian soccer federation, Alvaro Fina, said Monday that Valderrama would not be fielded unless he settles with the French, whom he owes $110,000 in unpaid taxes for 1988-91 when he played with the Montpelier Club.

Fina said Valderrama had promised to settle the issue this week. "We hope so, because if he doesn't he won't be in the World Cup," the official told Antena dos Radio.

Two spots remain

BUENOS AIRES: Only two spots remain on Argentina's national team, after coach Daniel Passarella called on five local players to join the team.

Passarella on Sunday night called up goalkeepers German Burgos and Pablo Caballero, midfielders Leonardo Astrada and Marcelo Gallardo and striker Marcelo Delgado.

Fifteen of the 22 roster spots are filled by players who compete in Europe.The remaining seven are players from Argentina's first division.

One name conspicuously absent from the list was Claudio Caniggia, a veteran of two past World Cup teams. A fan favourite, Canniggia's play with his club team Boca juniors in Argentina has improved in recent months following a lengthy slump.

Jamaican farewell

KINGSTON: In a fitting send-off to the World Cup, Jamaica defeated Brazil's Santos Football Club 3-2.

Jamaican back Ricardo Gardner scored eight minutes into Sunday's match, and Brazilian forward Paulo Sergio Rosa Viiola tied the score in the 25th minute. Midfielder Jorge Luisa da Silva put Santos ahead 2-1 with a goal in the 33rd minute.

Rai rejoinder

SAO PAULO: Snubbed by Brazil's coach Mario Zagallo, midfielder Rai made an eloquent argument for why he deserved a chance on the World Cup team.

Rai was brilliant in his first game for Sao Paulo after returning from Paris Saint Germain. He scored a goal, passed for another and commanded the team's 3-1 victory overCorinthians in the final of the Sao Paulo state championship on Sunday.

"Rai returns in grand style," read a headline in Rio's O Globo. "Simply magnificent," said columnist Alberto Helena Jr. in Folha de Sao Paulo.

Blow for Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO: Marcio Santos is the latest victim of a rash of injuries that has depleted Brazil's soccer team just days before World Cup training camp.

The Sao Paulo fullback pulled up lame barely 10 minutes into Sunday's championship final against Corinthians for the Sao Paulo state title. He watched from the bench as Sao Paulo won 3-1.

"I felt a sharp, stabbing pain the first time I sprinted," said Santos, an ice pack on his left thigh. "I'm hoping it's just muscle fatigue."

Brazilian team doctor Lidio Toledo said Santos would undergo magnetic resonance imaging test to determine the extent of the injury.

Dutch surprise

AMSTERDAM: The biggest surprise on the Dutch World Cup team named yesterday was the inclusion of striker Jimmy FloydHasselbaink.

Hasselbaink, who plays at Leeds, scored 16 goals this season in England's Premier League -- the same tally as Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp.

Juventus mid-fielder Edgar Davids will also don the Dutch Orange colours after being included in the squad, ending two years on the international sidelines following a falling out with Hiddink at the 1996 European Championship.