Sport - Football

Players to be fined for red and yellow cards

SEOUL May 31. Players will be fined for the first time if they receive red or yellow cards at the World Cup finals, soccer's world governing body FIFA said today.

Anybody caught ``diving'' — faking a foul — and players who are penalised for shirt-pulling will face the toughest fines, FIFA communications director Keith Cooper said. ``FIFA's disciplinary committee met yesterday and decided on the levels of the fines,'' Cooper said. ``Diving will lead to a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs ($ 1,280) as will shirt-pulling.'' A red card or a sending-off for two cautions will result in a fine of 2,000 francs. Any player who receives a second yellow card in the tournament, which usually results in a one-match suspension, will be fined 1,000 francs.

Blood tests for first time

Players will undergo blood tests for the first time at the World Cup in a bid to find banned drugs in their bodies, soccer's world governing body FIFA said today. Any player who refuses to undergo the tests will not be allowed to take part in the competition, FIFA communications director Keith Cooper said. ``It is the first time we have had blood tests,'' Cooper told a news conference just hours before Friday's opening match between defending champion France and Senegal in South Korea's capital Seoul.

No sleeves, no play

Cameroon's request to play in sleeveless jerseys was turned down on Friday by FIFA which said the shirts did not conform with regulations. FIFA communications director Keith Cooper succinctly summed up the position of world soccer's governing body: ``No sleeves, no shirt. No shirt, no play.'' However, Cooper hinted that the company which produced Cameroon's jerseys had found a way around the ban. ``You will see in their first game how they have resolved the issue,'' he said.

Singing cellphones

FIFA sternly instructs media representatives attending news conferences to turn off their cellphones. The reason they give is that a cellphone in use can distort the venue's sound system.

However, an equally convincing reason is that the cellphone ringing tones can be distracting and irritating.

Parole granted

Mexico's Jesus Arellano will miss one match at the World Cup finals starting on Friday after FIFA's disciplinary committee decided to halve his two-match suspension. Arellano, who was suspended after being sent off in a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica, will miss Mexico's opening game June 3 against Croatia but will be available for the June 9 match against Ecuador, FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said on Friday.

Real TV

World Cup broadcasters are estimating a TV audience of between 400 and 500 million in 200 territories for Friday's opening match. FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said the estimate was conservative and based on real data, unlike figures in the past that had been ``wildly exaggerated.''

FIFA is anticipating a cumulative TV audience exceeding 42 billion for the 64 World Cup matches spread across South Korea and Japan.

Only French

In Yokohama, Journalists covering the defending world champion had better brush up their high-school French if they want to try to understand France coach Roger Lemerre. The prickly trainer refused to take questions in English from the many non-French reporters at a news conference. The only translator on hand was Korean-language. ``Journalists should organise translation among themselves'', France team spokesman Philippe Tournon said in Seoul, leaving many frustrated.

Hail England

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown admits he will be supporting England at the World Cup. Brown, whose team failed to qualify for this year's finals, said he has always supported the Auld Enemy. ``How can you be against England? It will be good for football here if England do well in the World Cup finals,'' the Preston North End manager said.

Apologies

Germany assistant coach Michael Skibbe has apologised for calling Japan a land not necessarily suited for a vacation. ``I apologise, it wasn't the correct thing to say,'' Skibbe said. ``I've been five times in Japan and I've learned to value the land and the people. I wanted to express something completely different but I made a mistake.'' Skibbe made the remark on Tuesday while talking about problems the team had in organising activities during its free time.

Prison viewing

South Korea will allow prison inmates to watch World Cup matches on television. The Justice Ministry ordered the nation's 44 correctional facilities to allow their 61,000 inmates to stay up late to watch live broadcasts of the opening and championship matches, and games involving South Korea. ``By letting the inmates watch the games live, we can give them a sense that they are members of this society, not alienate them ,'' the ministry said in a statement.

Long wait

Belgium may have to wait until Tuesday for its opening World Cup match against co-host Japan, but coach Robert Waseige doesn't want his players sitting around watching the early matches on television. ``I won't stand for lounging about for 10 hours to watch the games,'' he said. he would gladly make an exception for the games of Tunisia and Russia, the two other Group H teams, he added.

American referee

The American who could most affect the World Cup finals was not chosen by United States coach Bruce Arena. Brian Hall, who is one of 36 referees at the tournament, will referee the Italy-Ecuador match on June 3 and will be the fourth official for Argentina-England on June 7. Officiating the World Cup is the highest honour for a referee. Only 72 match officials, 36 referees and 36 assistant referees, were selected from a worldwide pool.

New hair style

German player, defender Christian Ziege is sporting a new World Cup hair style — an Iroqee cut that is painted in German colors — black, red and gold. ``It was my wife's idea,'' the 30-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender said.

Memorabilia

FIFA's official Web site will auction off soccer memorabilia during the World Cup finals.

Some of the items include soccer balls signed by former German star Jurgen Klinsmann and the Italian national team. You can also buy a No.7 Portuguese jersey signed by Luis Figo.

The bidding at www.fifaworldcup.com will last from five to 10 days per item.

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