JOHANNESBURG, June 29 (Reuters) – Companies ready to cash in
if FIFA accepts goalline technology after World Cup refereeing
howlers say they are not yet convinced soccer’s governing body
will adopt measures common in other sports.

England and Mexico fell victim to mistakes by officials in
their second-round matches on Sunday, prompting an apology from
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and the decision on Tuesday not to
retain the refs who made them for the rest of the tournament.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Burglars made off with seven replicas of the golden World Cup trophy after breaking into FIFA’s offices in South Africa, police said on Tuesday.

Thieves have targeted players and journalists during the tournament, but so far it has been relatively crime-free. Security was a big concern for organisers of the event due to South Africa’s frighteningly high rates of violent crime.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s victory over France restored pride in Bafana Bafana, proud fans said on Tuesday after the hosts finally won a Group A game at the tournament they hosted.

South Africa became the first host nation to go out of the World Cup in the first round since the tournament began in 1930, but devoted supporters in Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela square said at least they went out in style.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Honduras’s dreams of progressing in the World Cup are all but over following their 2-0 defeat by Spain, but the Central Americans are still clinging to a small glimmer of hope

Honduras, who qualified for the finals by the skin of their teeth, knew Monday’s Group H game with Spain would be tough and they needed a draw to have any realistic chance of advancing to the second round.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Spain’s 2-0 defeat of outsiders Honduras got their World Cup campaign back on track, but their victory was not quite enough for coach Vicente del Bosque.

“It hasn’t been a great match. We had glorious opportunities and many opportunities so I think we should have won this by more goals,” Del Bosque told reporters after the Group H clash at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium.

NELSPRUIT, South Africa (Reuters) – Central American underdogs Honduras will have to shake off stage fright and get over a late injury loss if they are to get anything from their next game with Group H favourites Spain.

Honduras, one of the least fancied World Cup sides, lost 1-0 to Chile in their opening game in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

NELSPRUIT (Reuters) – Honduras have called up a third Palacios brother to their World Cup squad with Jerry joining Wilson and Jhony, a team spokesman said on Wednesday.

FIFA said it was the first time three brothers had been included in the same World Cup squad.

NELSPRUIT, June 16 (Reuters) – Honduras have called up a
third Palacios brother to their World Cup squad with Jerry
joining Wilson and Jhony, a team spokesman said on Wednesday.

FIFA said it was the first time three brothers had been
included in the same World Cup squad.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Chef Geoffrey Murray can barely whip baguettes out of his oven fast enough since the French World Cup team set up camp at his hotel.

Croissants, crepes and batches of brioche are also in hot demand at the chic Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa in coastal Knysna as staff pull out all the stops to cater for their pampered thoroughbreds.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Lionel Messi saluted a “phenomenal” display from Vincent Enyeama after the Nigeria goalkeeper produced the performance of his life to deny the Argentine forward in their Group B game on Saturday.

“The goalkeeper was phenomenal,” Messi said after Argentina were limited to a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Ellis Park with Enyeama producing a series of tremendous saves to thwart the world player of the year.