Referees have shown an average of more than five yellow and red cards per match at the World Cup finals, compared with less than two at the 1982 tournament, according to FIFA. So far in Germany, and with four matches still to play, referees have brandished a record 293 yellow cards in 60 matches and 27 reds, also a record for the finals.
In Spain in 1982, some 98 yellows and just five red cards were shown in 52 games. In contrast to the rash of cards, there has been a dearth of goals. If less than four goals are scored in the last four games, the tournament will go down as the lowest scoring ever.
On the brighter side, attendances are higher than at any finals apart from in 1994 in the United States.
Some 3.11 million spectators have seen the games in Germany, an average of 51,791 per match. At the USA, an average of 69,991 spectators watched the games, a figure FIFA regards as unbeatable because of the size of American stadiums.
Sin bins at finals
Players should be sin-binned after being booked at World Cups to reduce the risk of them being suspended, France coach Raymond Domenech said.
Players with two yellow cards from the same stage in the tournament automatically miss the next match in that phase.
"I think that system is unfair, particularly in the knock-out stage, because it has no incidence if you're eliminated and it penalises you if you qualify," said the France coach.
"I think it would be better if players booked were immediately suspended temporarily instead of carrying their yellow card into the next match and facing the risk of being suspended," he added.
The system of sin bins exists in several team sports, notably ice hockey and rugby, but not in soccer.
Schumacher... fingers crossed
After delighting Italy by leading a Ferrari one-two finish at Indianapolis on Sunday, Michael Schumacher is backing Germany to break Italian hearts in the World Cup.
"I mean, it's natural what my heart is going for," the seven times Formula One champion said after his US Grand Prix success. "Although it's mixed up a little bit, the majority sticks to the German side."
Schumacher, a keen amateur player who visited the Germany squad at a training camp in Switzerland in May, revealed on his website that he was thrilled to get a text message from striker Lukas Podolski after Sunday's victory.
"I have got tickets for the final and of course I'm hoping that I'll be able to root for the German team when the day comes," said the Ferrari driver.
Houllier for Aussie job?
Australia are continuing talks with Gerard Houllier about the possibility of the Frenchman replacing Guus Hiddink as the Socceroos' next head coach. However a Football Federation of Australia (FFA) spokesman said media reports that Houllier had already signed a contract were incorrect.
"The FFA has not signed an agreement with Gerard Houllier for the position of head coach," a statement released yesterday read.
"Talks regarding the Australian head coach position are continuing with a number of candidates, including Gerard Houllier."
FFA officials have made no secret of the fact Houllier is at the top of their list of candidates to replace Hiddink, who accepted a job to coach Russia after taking Australia to the second round of the World Cup.
The FFA have also said assistant coach Graham Arnold is expected to lead the Socceroos for the next 12 months and through the Asian Cup qualifiers before the new head coach takes over.
Former Liverpool manager Houllier is currently in charge of French champions Lyon.
Yellow peril for six semi-finalists
Six players in today's World Cup semi-final between hosts Germany and Italy face a ban for the final if they are given a yellow card in Dortmund.
Germany's Arne Friedrich, Lukas Podolski and David Odonkor and Italians Fabio Grosso, Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluca Zambrotta picked up knockout round bookings and would be automatically suspended if they are cautioned again.
In 2002 in Japan, Germany captain Michael Ballack missed the final after collecting a second yellow card in the semi-final victory over South Korea. Germany went on to lose the final 2-0 without him against Brazil.
Costa Rica coach quits
Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes resigned yesterday after his team's dismal performances at the World Cup in Germany where the Central American nation suffered three straight defeats.
"Each person has his own destiny. I am very clear about mine," Guimaraes said at a news conference called to announce his resignation.
The Brazilian-born Guimaraes said local media unfairly blamed him for their defeats against hosts Germany (4-2), Ecuador (3-0) and Poland (2-1) in Group A.
Guimaraes said he feared for his safety after he was given a rude welcome home from Germany by a group of angry fans.
It was Costa Rica's third appearance at a World Cup finals after they reached the second round in 1990 but also failed to get past the first round at the last tournament in 2002.
Uruguayan to referee semi-final
Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda will take charge of tomorrow's World Cup semi-final between Portugal and France in Munich, FIFA said yesterday.
The linesmen are Walter Rial and Pablo Fandino, both Uruguayan, with Australian Mark Shield the fourth official.