World Cup diary - England lose their pants

Published: 29 Jun 2010 - 06:48:24

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Five members of staff at England's World Cup base, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, have been convicted of theft.

A US shirt, a FIFA medal, approximately £500 in cash and some underwear was stolen from several England players, who have not been named.

The thieves have each been sentenced to three years in prison by a World Cup court. All of the stolen items were recovered.

We are at DSG Towers are still trying to fathom who might have won a FIFA medal, and how the hotel staff knew that these men were, in fact, footballers, since we have not seen a clue to indicate this in the last three weeks or so.

HARRY REMAINS STOIC IN DEFEAT

Prince Harry watched England's 4-1 defeat through his fingers. "The defeat was sore, I think the boys played their hearts out," said 25-year-old Harry, who watched the match in New York after competing in a polo match.

We are unsure how much alcohol was served at the Prince's viewing venue, but it sounds like it had an anaesthetic effect on the young patriot.

CAMERON TAKES DOWN THE FLAG

Prime Minister David Cameron ordered the St George's flag - which had been flying above 10 Downing Street - to be lowered early this morning, following England's disastrous exit at the hands of Germany on Sunday.

The Union Flag has regained its usual place aloft Mr Cameron's residence. This goes in stark contrast to the white flag which the country's football team waved at half-time on Sunday.

SOME GUYS GET ALL THE LUCK

Little Argentine dervish Carlos Tevez has admitted knowing he was offside in the build-up to the first goal in his country's 3-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday.

The incident caused controversy, as the Central Americans surrounded referee Roberto Rosetti and his assistant, before the goal was given. "At first I thought he (Rosetti) was saying that it was not a goal, then I saw the signal and I started (celebrating) and I was happy," said Tevez.

"I know I was offside, I know it was selfish but as long as they say it was a goal it's OK for me and the team."

NETHERLANDS 2-1 SLOVAKIA

The Netherlands booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, after a routine 2-1 victory over Slovakia at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.

Arjen Robben cut in from the wing to score a trademark left-footed goal after 18 minutes of his first start of the Finals.

A fantastic, searching ball from Wesley Sneijder was brought down impudently by Robben on the right wing, before he cut inside and lashed the ball into the corner. Kuyt scored the decisive second with six minutes remaining, as he rounded the otherwise inspired Jan Mucha before slotting home. Robert Vittek scored his fourth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot, after Maarten Stekelenburg had impeded Martin Jakubko (90+4).

BRAZIL 3-0 CHILE

Brazil cruised into the quarter-finals after a performance of devastating efficiency at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. After averting early pressure from Chile, Brazil took the lead after 34 when Juan nodded in from a Maicon corner.

Three minutes later, Kaka;s slide-rule pass allowed Luis Fabiano to beat the offside trap, before tiptoeing around the prone Claudio Bravo to double the lead. Ramires created the third just before the hour mark, dribbling at pace before releasing Robinho, who delivered a cultured, curling effort which bulged the inside of the net. Brazil play the Netherlands a week on Friday.