Players and officials to sign World Cup non-gambling pledge

Every player, official and referee in the World Cup will have to sign a written pledge that they will not bet on the tournament.

FIFA's announcement will leave the England players - some of whom are fond of a flutter - in no doubt that gambling on the World Cup is strictly forbidden.

The game's world governing body have also set up a special "early warning system" organisation to monitor any suspicious gambling patterns at this summer's finals in Germany.

Speaking in Zurich, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: "There will be special instructions to all the referees, linesmen, players, coaches and official delegations in the World Cup.

"They will have to sign a paper saying that they will never, themselves or their families, be involved in betting on the World Cup or any other problems."

The early warning system will see FIFA officials work with big bookmakers and betting markets to track gambling patterns on matches.

FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi added: ``When-ever we discover that (betting patterns) on certain matches are not appropriate we would get the signs and act accordingly.

"This will be the first time we have done this but the system has now been established.''