Frank Rijkaard’s agent has denied the former Holland international is a potential candidate to take over as Chile coach following the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa.

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

POLITICIANS involved in yesterday’s closed-door hearing about France’s World Cup fiasco grumbled that Raymond Domenech refused to take any responsibility for his team’s misbehaviour and offered no explanations.

Spain striker David Villa has escaped punishment for striking Honduras defender Emilio Izaguirre on Monday night.

The president of South Africa Jacob Zuma has lauded the World Cup team even though the host nation is out the tournament.

THE World Cup isn’t just about winning – especially not for Ireland supporters who yesterday witnessed a just end to France’s tour de farce.

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.

The France squad returned to training this morning, a day after refusing to take part in a routine session in protest at the decision to send home Nicolas Anelka.

FOR Diego Maradona’s Argentine squad, sex is fine as long as it is not 2am and accompanied by a bottle of bubbly.

A sombre and frail Nelson Mandela attended the funeral for his 13-year-old great-granddaughter today, after she was killed in a car crash following the World Cup's opening concert.

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.

HOST nation South Africa were left facing the prospect of an early World Cup exit after slumping to defeat at the hands of a Diego Forlan-inspired Uruguay in Pretoria last night.

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.

World Cup Group A

South Africa 1 Mexico 1

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.

SOUTH AFRICA goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune believes the World Cup hosts should be fearless in approaching all three of their opponents in Group A.

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.

FABIO CAPELLO has admitted he has no idea whether Gareth Barry will be fit for this summer’s World Cup.

NELSON MANDELA proclaimed that it has been worth the long wait for the World Cup to arrive on African soil, but Brazil and Portugal may not be feeling quite so welcoming after last night’s draw.

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.

RICKY SBRAGIA could earn himself an extended reign as caretaker boss at Sunderland if his team keep getting results.

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy failed to join up with South Africa today, according to a television report.

Dunga has been confirmed as the new coach of the Brazilian national team.

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.

ONE of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s greatest attributes is his ability to make his squad bond as a group, to believe that no one player is more important than any other, and to give his team a collective belief that they can win any match.

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.

A RONALDO-inspired Brazil battled back from a goal down to beat Japan and eliminate the Asian champions from the tournament.

Japan 1 Brazil 4

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.