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TALKING SPORT: Use brains, not brawn on big stage
IF only FIFA policed human rights as vigorously as it does commercial ones.
But of course those stewards who have been royally shafted when it comes to their World Cup wages don't pump millions of dollars into the governing body's coffers.
Those of us trying to fathom England's insipid displays out in South Africa have, after all, plenty of reason to worry on that score.
Hopefully Carlsberg are one of Sepp's officially credited sponsors because otherwise, if by some small chance he's digesting this column over lunch later today, then I can expect a visit from South Africa's finest any second now. My passport will be confiscated and another summer holiday with the missus will have gone for a burton.
But here goes anyway.
National traits have been a hot topic ever since the Three Lions turned pussycat during dismal displays against the USA, Algeria, Slovenia and finally Germany. And ours are summed-up perfectly in that glossy television ad where Ian Botham, Sir Clive Woodward and, bizarrely, Jeff Stelling, whip mythical Englishmen into a frenzy before they follow an apirition of Bobby Moore onto some fictitious faraway pitch.
If Peroni did team talks they probably wouldn't be anything like this. Or Holsten come to think of it.
'The Italian Job' - Gianluca Vialli's excellent book which details the differences between footballers in England and his home country - contains a fascinating passage on how Serie A players prepare for games.
The former Chelsea and Azzurri striker recalls how his team mates in the Premier League would struggle to stifle yawns when tactics were discussed. Yet at Juventus and Sampdoria they would, to borrow a phrase from the tome's pages, take to the field "feeling naked" if they hadn't studied and analysed every possible scenario that might occur during combat.
Of course, Italy's title defence ended in farce and disappointment. But, whatever their failings at this tournament, the fact that Italy have just enjoyed four years of joy suggests a little bit less tub thumping and some more attention to detail might be no bad thing.
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
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