World Cup Diary
CROATIA'S coach, Miroslav Blazevic, has taken to wearing a kepi as a lucky charm - and as a gesture of support for the French gendarme who is in a coma after being attacked by German
hooligans.
Blazevic was given the kepi by a colleague of the gendarme, Daniel Nivel, at the Romania v Croatia match, a day after the attack.
Police sergeant Jean-Luc Provot insisted on Blazevic taking the cap out to the game with him.
Provot said: ''I said to him 'take this kepi out on to the touchline. I was thinking about Daniel's wife and children. We all knew it could have been us in his place.''
qIF France's semi-final against Croatia goes to penalties, and on the hosts' most recent performances there is every chance that it might, then do not be surprised if Fabien Barthez steps up for a spot kick. The French goalkeeper was next in line to take a penalty against Italy, but after Bixente Lizarazu's miss in the Italy match, Barthez could find himself promoted up the order.
qFIFA outlawed the tackle from behind after advice from their medical committee that the challenges were responsible for many injuries - now they are considering whether to ban other tackles too.
The medical committee are carrying out studies in France, Germany and the Czech Republic to see whether tackles from the side or sliding tackles cause injuries.
It may well end up with football becoming a completely non-contact sport, similar perhaps to netball.
qWHY do referees want to go the World Cup and risk being vilified? Well, for a start, it is a nice little earner. Although the money is nowhere near the players' league, each referee is paid #15,000 for the tournament, given free board and lodging, plus #125-per-day pocket money,
making a total of around #20,000 for the five weeks.
qFORMER Dutch coach Rinus Michels is making a good recovery from the heart attack that he suffered while watching
Holland's win over Argentina on television.
Michels collapsed and was given immediate treatment by, ironically, Raul Madero, a former doctor for the Argentina team.
Madero's swift action may well have saved FIFA colleague Michels' life.
qENGLAND have lost their place at the top of FIFA's Fair Play standings to hosts France.
Norway are close behind in third place, with Brazil in fourth place.
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