Nicolas Anelka should never play for Les Bleus again, according to outgoing French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

FRANCE exited the World Cup at the first-round stage with barely a whimper after this humbling defeat by the host nation at the Free State Stadium.

France coach Raymond Domenech expressed his sadness as his tenure ended with his squabbling side making an early exit from the World Cup.

Sports minister Roselyne Bachelot has told France's World Cup players they are no longer heroes in the eyes of children.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech insisted last night the decision to send Nicolas Anelka home was the correct one.

Defiant South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira urged his side not to let their heads drop as they seek to bounce back from last night’s potentially costly 3-0 World Cup defeat to Uruguay in Pretoria.

South Africa 0 Uruguay 3

SOUTH AFRICA coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes his side will be more confident going into today’s potentially crucial World Cup showdown with Uruguay having got their first game under their belts.

CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA has warned his South Africa side of the threat posed by what he describes as “the most daring team” at the World Cup ahead of their showdown with Mexico at Soccer City today.

IT WON’T be easy at first, it won’t be painless; but when South Africa and Mexico kick off the 2010 World Cup Finals at Soccer City here in Johannesburg today, you can still be sure that the colour, vibrancy and sheer excitement of Africa’s first ever finals will sweep all the way to Dublin.

ARGENTINA striker Carlos Tevez threw down the challenge to World Cup favourites Spain and Brazil last night by declaring: “I’m ready” – even though he may not play in their opening game.

Carlos Alberto Parreira has been reappointed coach of South Africa, replacing compatriot Joel Santana who quit the post on Monday.

Joel Santana today resigned as coach of World Cup hosts South Africa.

Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has revealed he is close to being appointed as the new coach of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa.

CARLOS ALBERTO Parreira has resigned as coach of Brazil.

Carlos Alberto Parreira has resigned as coach of Brazil.

Brazil 0 France 1

RATOMIR Dujkovic accused Slovakian referee Michel Lubos of bias as Ghana’s World Cup adventure came to an end.

Brazil captain Cafu admits fewer things in his career give him more pleasure than breaking records.

BRAZIL coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has condemned the violence that broke out during Portugal’s 1-0 victory against Holland.

Brazil captain Cafu’s record-breaking exploits may not have had the same publicity as Ronaldo’s but the 36-year-old skipper admits that collective success for the world champions is more important than individual landmarks.

ZICO has reminded Brazil’s detractors that flair teams rarely win the World Cup. The Japan coach knows that better than most as he played in three tournaments without getting a winners’ medal.

Brazil manager Carlos Alberto Parreira admits tomorrow’s game against Japan is little more than a run-out for his players – but insists the match that follows will shape the favourites’ World Cup destiny.

Brazil 2 Australia 0

BRAZIL WILL thrust under-fire striker Ronaldo straight back into World Cup action on the premise that he can’t perform any worse than he did against Croatia.

–Brazil striker Ronaldo was due back in training on Thursday despite being taken to a clinic late last night complaining of headaches and dizziness.

ON the train down to Mannheim, the morning after watching Brazil do just enough to edge out Croatia in the Olympiastadion in Berlin, we fell in with a friendly group of Croatian Football Association staff in the restaurant car.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira insists he will keep faith with Ronaldo and his side’s attacking style against Australia on Sunday.

Brazil 1 Croatia 0

BRAZIL coach Carlos Alberto Parreira appeared exasperated yesterday as he faced a barrage of questions over why his first team had lost to the reserves in a 40-minute practice match ahead of the World Cup.

Ronaldinho will be given free rein when Brazil defend their title in this summer’s World Cup, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira claimed on Monday.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has been rewarded for a good season at club level with an expected place in Brazil’s 23-man squad for the defence of the World Cup.

Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann believes his side have no excuses for not qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup after being handed a favourable draw in Leipzig.

HOLDERS Brazil are ready for a physical battle after being drawn against Australia, Japan and Croatia in their World Cup group, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.

BRAZIL and Argentina may have stumbled along the way but they eventually lived up to their star billing by making it through to this evening’s Confederations Cup final.

EVERYTHING is right in football when Brazil are in possession of the World Cup but with the status of champions comes a responsibility says Carlos Alberto Parreira.