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World cup stories, funnies and gossip
Folks, thought these stories are interesting compiled these from BBC World service Website and other websites.
Note: the headlines are mine except for the last two stories
Togo coach abandons Team
Togo's World Cup Group G preparations are in turmoil after coach Otto Pfister resigned over a pay dispute.
His former assistant Kodjovi Mawuena will take charge of the side for their first game with South Korea on 13 June.
"I'm not going back and I am giving up my work as national trainer. It has destroyed a dream of my life. I won't be messed with any more," said Pfister.
Eight years ago Pfister guided Saudi Arabia to the finals in France but was sacked on the eve of the tournament.
Fifa's head of communications Markus Ziegler said they had not yet had confirmation that Pfister was no longer in charge, but changing the coach was unlikely to be a problem.
England seeks divine attention
England fans are looking for divine intervention to help Sven-Goran Eriksson and his team claim victory in Germany, report the Times.
According to the Church of England, visits to their website have increased by 28% after a prayer for the World Cup was posted.
Ronaldo too big to play?
The fitness of Brazil striker Ronaldo has again come under scrutiny after president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva jokingly asked coach Carlos Alberto Parreira if he was overweight.(Various
Victoria Beckham stuck
Most of the papers pick up on the fact that the glamorous wives and girlfriends of England's players arrived in Germany on Friday - with one exception.
David Beckham's wife Victoria was stuck at Madrid Airport after her jet was grounded. Don't worry David, she will be arriving in time for the Paraguay game.
Fifa’s new directive
Fifa has directed referees to clamp down on players that dive into tackles, even if they win the ball. (Daily Mail)
Is it ok for Rooney?
The doctor who gave the all-clear to Wayne Rooney only did so because the Football Association said they would accept full liability for any damages. (The Sun)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was less than happy with the Rooney news and inflicted on Sven-Goran Eriksson a famous hairdryer dressing down over the phone.
Wrestling or football?
Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz has warned England to expect a physical contest in their World Cup opener. (Daily Express)
‘Don’t shake ma hand’ Beckham says
England skipper David Beckham admits that after spending three years in Spain with Real Madrid, he is more used to kissing his team-mates before a game than shaking their hands. (Various)
Carrick on stand by
England midfielder Michael Carrick is on standby in case Steven Gerrard cannot make Saturday's game with Paraguay. (Daily Star)
Football's authorities fear a spate of injuries to players at the World Cup will lead to an avalanche of litigation from clubs. (The Guardian)
Russian Madness
According to a recent poll, 6% of Russians are confident they will win the World Cup - even though they did not qualify.
Of the 1,600 people quizzed, Russia came just behind favourites Brazil, who got 10% of the vote, while 75% went for the "hard to say" option.
Sex ban for Equador players
Ecuador's Luis Fernando Suarez is the latest coach to impose the obligatory World Cup sex ban on his players - and he has shown solidarity by adopting the vow of celibacy himself.
"Oh that's good," said one female journalist, clearly impressed with Suarez's efforts.
"No. No, it is not good," he replied. "It is not good at all."
Ivory Coast fancy their chances of beating Argentina
Nuremberg: Ivory Coast are the latest African team who believe they can take a shot at glory starting with an upset win over Argentina on their World Cup debut.
African nations have been threatening for years to upset the established hierarchy and the Ivorian aim to pick up the baton held by Senegal, who reached the quarterfinals four years ago.
They fancy their chances of beating twice world champions Argentina today and going on to bigger things in their first appearance at the world's showpiece tournament.
Vatican wants to wave 'red card' at World Cup prostitution
Vatican City: The Vatican wants to flash a red card at Germany over prostitution during the World Cup finals, lamenting that thousands of women risked being degraded to the point where they cost less than a ticket to a match.
Archishop Agostino Marchetto, the Vatican's top expert on migration, said the games risked permitting the violation of the human rights of many so-called sex workers and that German authorities had a duty to take action.
"Using soccer language, I think some red cards should be flashed at this industry, its clients and the authorities who are hosting the event," Marchetto told Vatican Radio.
With one million foreign visitors expected to flood into Germany from June 9, the likely sex industry boom has created demand for extra prostitutes who could come mainly from countries in Eastern Europe with major trafficking problems.
Sex workers in Germany, where prostitution is legal, can get health insurance, join a union and pay into a pension plan.
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