Ronaldo and Portugal fire World Cup warning
By David Owen in Cape Town
June 21 – Perhaps it will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup after all.
Andrew Warshaw: No-one is celebrating the Jabulani
Jabulani means “celebrate” in Zulu. But you would have to go a long way to find anyone, anywhere - player, coach or fan - remotely happy when it comes to the controversial ball being used in the World Cup.
After the vuvuzela, nothing has generated greater debate. Watch any game and watch freekicks flying over the bar, outfield players struggling with their control, passes being overhit and goalies fumbling.
Irish FA accounts reveal £516,000 spent on former chief executive
June 21 – It cost the Irish Football Association (IFA) £516,000 ($760,000) to get rid of chief executive Howard Wells (pictured), newly published accounts reveal.
Domenech unloved and unwanted by France
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 20 – Alas Poor Raymond…Just after the World Cup began, a headline in one of the South African supplements read, “Everybody Hates Raymond”.
Blatter invited to Downing Street by Cameron
June 19 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) has today been officially invited to Downing Street by Britain’s new Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Beckham claims dressing room incident blown out of proportion
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June 19 – David Beckham has described the moment he was confronted by an irate fan who walked unchallenged into the England team’s World Cup dressing room minutes after a visit by Princes William and Harry.
Jordaan living his dream despite Bafana Bafana
By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg
June 19 – Spare a thought for Danny Jordaan (pictured), the public face of the World Cup who campaigned tirelessly to bring it to South Africa.
Mike Rowbottom: Capello needs to bring back the WAGS to save England’s World Cup
If the BBC News channel had given Simon Meyerson just a little more time before England’s World Cup match against Algeria, he would have got round to the fundamental reason for the players’ collective under-performance, a reason that underlies their palpably stilted team ethic.
USA v Slovenia calamity referee should be sent home
By Andrew Warshaw at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
June 18 – Eventually it had to happen, a refereeing decision so outrageous you wondered how the official responsible got the gig in the first place.
Pain for Spain makes World Cup journey more difficult
By David Owen in Durban
June 17 - No team in the 80 year history of the World Cup has lost their first match and gone on to lift the trophy.
Warner to find out his fate later today
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 17 – Jack Warner (pictured) will discover today whether he has to give up his position as FIFA vice-president if he wants to remain a member of Trinidad and Tobago’s Government.
Mihir Bose: USA deal could be crucial to England chances of getting 2018 World Cup
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So when will USA withdraw its bid from the 2018 World Cup and concentrate on getting 2022 for the States?
On the day of the FIFA Congress, immediately after Australia withdrew from 2018, rumours swept Sandton, the once exclusive white suburb now dominated by the huge statute of Nelson Mandela where the good and great of football have gathered, that the USA was about to pull out.
Rob Green can recover from USA error, claims sports pychologist
By Tom Degun
June 17 – England goalkeeper Rob Green, the man responsible for the catastrophic mistake which led to United States’ equalising against England in the World Cup last Saturday (June 12), will be able overcome the error if he takes the right steps according to the Head of Performance Psychology at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) Mark Bawden.
David Owen: In search of North Korean fans
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Picture the scene.
It is Brazil’s first match at the 2010 World Cup; night has fallen; it is so cold that the Official Fan Shop has sold out of blankets at 400 Rand a throw.
And here I am on a corner looking for North Korea fans.