Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said yesterday he’s worried about making a blunder similar to the one made Saturday by England’s Richard Green.
Buffon, considered by some the world’s best keeper over the past decade, said he supports Green and said it could happen to anyone.
“I want to express my total solidarity with Green, and I hope that the same doesn’t happen to me in my worst nightmare,” said Buffon, looking ahead to Italy’s match today against Paraguay in Cape Town.
Italy could go without Antonio Di Natale, Serie A’s top scorer, who lined up with the Italian “reserves” during a training session yesterday. Di Natale scored 29 goals for Udinese this season and had been expected to lead the line for the defending Cup holders.
* FIFA said it asked stadium security to intervene after a spectator targeted a laser beam at the field during Argentina’s World Cup match against Nigeria.
The bright green light was aimed at players and Argentina coach Diego Maradona during Saturday’s match in Johannesburg. FIFA says it noticed the beam immediately and alerted security staff at Ellis Park.
Earlier this year, FIFA fined the Greek federation $21,800 after beams were directed at opposing Switzerland and Israel players.
* France defender Eric Abidal said players have to “make the right fouls” to avoid getting a yellow card early at the World Cup. He thinks referees give them out more easily at that stage of the tournament.
Franck Ribery and Patrice Evra received cards from Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura within the first 20 minutes of France’s 0-0 draw against Uruguay on Friday for tugging at opponents.
Next up for France is a Group A match against Mexico on Thursday in Polokwane.
* Armed riot police charged into hundreds of stewards at a World Cup stadium yesterday who were protesting about not getting paid enough for their work.
Police appeared to set off two percussive grenades, causing loud bangs, to drive the protesters out of a parking lot under the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban hours after Germany beat Australia 4-0 in Group D.
Brazil closed its practice for the second straight day, an unusual move that even surprised some of the players.
Brazil is usually one of the most open teams to fans and the media, but coach Dunga has been trying to keep the team sealed off ahead of tomorrow’s opener against North Korea. Neither Dunga nor any other Brazilian officials said why yesterday’s practice was closed.
Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, a two-time winner of the Golden Boot given to Europe’s top scorer, is not promising any goals in Wednesday’s game against South Africa.
Forlan, who was no factor in Friday’s 0-0 draw with France, said he “only tries to do the best possible for the team” and “I don’t promise goals.”
