The referee who awarded Brazil their controversial penalty should not be officiating at the World Cup, according Croatia defender Dejan Lovren. The hosts won the opening game 3-1, but with the score at 1-1 with twenty minutes left, Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura judged Lovren to have pulled down Fred, despite there seemingly being minimal contact between the two. Neymar scored to give Brazil a 2-1 lead, before Oscar's late third. 'It's a scandal - this referee should not be at this World Cup,' said Lovren. The Southampton player added: 'I don't know for what he deserved to be here. It's really disappointing for us because we were playing a good game against a big team. Two billion people I think saw that it was not a penalty. I didn't touch him. We're really disappointed but what can you do against twelve players? You can't do anything. I'm sad, that's it, because we played a good match and the referee - it wasn't a mistake, it was a scandal.' 
Fellow defender Vedran Corluka thought that the decision was 'embarrassing.' Croatia coach Niko Kovac stated that Croatia might as well 'give up and go home. We talk about respect, that wasn't respect, Croatia didn't get any. If that's a penalty, we don't need to play football any more. Let's play basketball instead. It's a shame,' said the forty two-year-old. 'If you continue like this you will have one hundred penalties. I think two and a half billion people watching on TV saw this was not a penalty.' The decision came at a pivotal moment in the match. Brazil were dominating possession with Croatia holding out for what would have been a respectable draw. But then Fluminense striker Fred received the ball in the middle of the box with his back to goal and went down under the challenge of Lovren. 'Fred is an eighty five kilogram man and I don't believe he can be brought to the ground in such a manner,' added Kovac. 'I cannot blame Fred at all - everyone tries it on. Like it or not, this is part and parcel of football. What I want is for referees to stick to the laws of the game and apply them equally to both teams.' Meanwhile the Daily Mirra reports that Congolese football fans once vandalised Chinese restaurants after another particularly controversial display from Nishimura. In a World Club Cup game in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, fans of the offended team, TP Mazembe, went looking for a bit of post-match vengeance. Social media in Japan also lit up after the official's decision to give a soft penalty to Brazil which changed the balance of the closely fought match. Several posts showed mocked-up photos of Nishimura wearing a Brazil jersey.
Meanwhile, here's something which, somewhat, gives lie to all those who suggest that Brazil are only playing with one up front these days.
Definitely looks like a twin strike force to me.
Vanishing spray to stop encroachment at free-kicks was used for the first time in Brazil's win over Croatia. Yuichi Nishimura used the spray when Croatia gave away a first-half free-kick in Sao Paulo. For free-kicks near the penalty area, the referee sprays a circle round the ball and paces out ten yards from where it has been placed. The line marks the position where the defensive wall should stand. The spray disappears from the grass within a minute. The system has been used in Brazilian and Argentine football for several seasons, and was also trialled at last year's Under-Twenty World Cup. It will also be introduced to the Champions League next season.
Mexico overcame having two goals controversially ruled out to beat Group A rivals Cameroon courtesy of a goal from striker Oribe Peralta in a virtual monsoon in Natal. Giovani Dos Santos had a volley and header disallowed for what appeared to be errors by the assistant referee. Cameroon rarely threatened but a Samuel Eto'o shot hit the post and Benoit Assou-Ekotto's free-kick went wide. However, Mexico secured victory when Dos Santos's shot was parried before Peralta arrived to slot in the rebound. At a rain-lashed Estadio das Dunas, Cameroon almost stole a point late on when Benjamin Moukandjo's free header was acrobatically saved by keeper Guillermo Ochoa. 
An equaliser would have been harsh on a Mexico side who put on an impressive performance, combining a strong work ethic with an attacking threat and should serve them well when they play hosts Brazil on Tuesday 17 June although the do, undeniably, look a bit fragile at the back. Peralta's seventh goal in nine competitive games prevented the dubious refereeing decisions from overshadowing the victory, while Cameroon's quality and prospects of getting into the second round appear limited with Croatia and Brazil to come next. There were questions about how these countries would fare, with both sides changing managers in World Cup qualifying campaigns they scraped through. A nimble Mexico, though, appeared determined to make the most of their time in Brazil, while a powerful-looking Cameroon showed their struggles had continued into the tournament. The African side struggled to deal with the wing-backs in the five-three-two formation employed by The Aztecs, who appeared to have a legitimate early goal disallowed.
When a late USA goal against Panama meant that Mexico managed to qualify for the play-offs, the Mexican TV commentator infamously noted that the Americans had done them a favour:
'It is because of the USA not any of you in the green shirts. They did it, not you! You do nothing for the shirt, you do not put in any effort for the team. Mexico is a horror, just terrible. A failure.' It's hard to imagine someone from ITV saying that about England, I'm sure you'll agree. Although, funnily enough, it's quite easy to imagine somebody from ITV saying that about Adrian Chiles. For the Mexico versus Cameroon game, ITV were employing Clarke Carlisle, their own 'captive intelligent footballer.' Who is just like the BBC's captive intelligent footballer, Garth Crooks, in that he can talk for England. Unlike Crooks, however, Carlisle never actually played for England. Northampton, yes, but not England.
The Netherlands produced one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history coming from a behind to annihilate the reigning champions Spain 5-1 in a stunned Arena Fonte Nova. This was a repeat of the 2010 final but the Dutch fell at the group stage of Euro 2012, which Spain won to seal a third consecutive major international trophy. Spain were humbled and humiliated - the last time they conceded five goals in an international match was in 1963 - and it might not only be a fatal blow to their hopes in this tournament, but it could signal the end of an era for one of the game's greatest teams. Three-time runners-up Netherlands will suddenly find themselves talked about among the leading contenders to lift the title and it is not unrealistic if they maintain this level of display and don't pull their usual trick of fighting among themselves. Xabi Alonso's penalty gave Spain the lead after Stefan de Vrij tripped Diego Costa and at that stage everything appeared to be going according to the script but Robin van Persie equalised just before half-time with a superb acrobatic diving header after Daley Blind's pinpoint fifty yard pass. Arjen Robben cut inside Gerard Pique to score early in the second half before De Vrij nodded in to put the Dutch 3-1 up following a free kick. A horrible error from the Spanish goalkeeper, Ilker Casillas, enabled van Persie to make it four after seventy two minutes, while Robben's brilliant solo effort completed the rout. It was a brilliant performance by the Dutch - so disappointing in final four years ago - whose pace and passing the Spanish were unable to live with. In fact, the Netherlands could easily have scored more, Van Persie hitting the bar and Casillas - who was at fault for at least two of the goals - brilliantly saving from a stunning Robben volley. It was Louis van Gaal's men who created the first clear chance when Robben slipped Wesley Sneijder clean through, Casillas saving his side with a one-handed save.
That miss appeared costly when Xavi released Costa and he fell under the challenge of De Vrij, Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the spot despite replays showing Costa had stood on the Feyenoord defender's leg. Alonso slotted past Jasper Cillessen to cue Spanish celebrations - but rather than leading to a period of dominance, Vincent del Bosque's men sat back and tried to defend their lead. It proved costly. After David Silva wasted a glorious opportunity that would come back to haunt Spain, Netherlands accepted the invitation to get forward and finally enjoyed some possession. They grew in confidence and stunned Spain when Van Persie escaped the attentions of Sergio Ramos and met Daley Blind's crossfield pass with an astonishing header that looped over a despairing Casillas. The goal will be shown again and again for years to come. Netherlands left the field at the break embracing each other with wide smiles - Spain looked shellshocked - and they carried that momentum into the second half. Van Gaal's men deservedly took the lead when Xavi - the heartbeat of Spain's midfield for so long - lost possession and Blind supplied another pinpoint aerial pass from the left, which Robben controlled before eluding Gerard Pique and finishing confidently. Spain were now rocking and Van Persie fired against the bar before De Vrij bundled a third goal over the line after Casillas missed Sneijder's set-piece. The goalkeeper protested that he had been impeded by Van Persie but Rizzoli (who had a fine game and, somewhat, restored faith in the officials after the blunders of the first two games) was unmoved. Casillas had endured a torrid evening and it deteriorated further when he miscontrolled a backpass and Van Persie was presented with an empty net. Silva had a strike disallowed for offside but was then guilty of poor control, allowing Robben to counter-attack, outpace Ramos and wrap up the scoring with one of the great World Cup goals. Spain were in pieces and continued to be torn apart, substitute Jeremain Lens and Robben both going close. Substitute Fernando Torres looked certain to register a consolation, only for Blind to arrive with a timely last-ditch challenge. The full-time whistle was met with scenes of Dutch joy and Spanish woe, on the turf and in the stands. Netherlands embarked upon a lap of honour. It was a result that will send shockwaves through world football. 'The Netherlands were sensational,' noted Alan Shearer. 'That goal just before half time gave them unbelievable confidence and it could have and should have been seven or eight. Some of the performances - Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Daley Blind down that wing. They were absolutely brilliant. I have never seen that Spain back four pulled around as much as they were tonight.' To sum up, then a team containing Ron Vlaar, Daryl Janmaat and Stefan de Vrij has just walloped Spain. This was where the World Cup starts, with a shock and the spirit of The Oranj raised once more (even though they were wearing blue). Football is brilliant isn't it?
'We've just seen one of the greatest displays in yonks,' said a breathless Gary Lineker at the conclusion of a memorable episode of Match Of The Day Live. And I must say, as for the BBC's coverage overall - Thierry Henry being in love with his own reflection notwithstanding - after two matches watching the rubbish ITV serve up, wasn't it just beyond terrific to finally be watching some professional broadcasters?
Even Rio Ferdinand wasn't as annoying as this blogger had feared, though the bit when he was talking about having watched the opening match with 'the twins' did summon up quite a few remarkable images in Keith Telly Topping's head before discovering that he was talking about Fábio and Raefael. And it took just eleven minutes before Shearer cracked his first joke in ... well, recorded history, actually. It was about elbowing somebody in the face. First rule of comedy, talk about what you know. God bless the BBC! Mind you, Steve Wllson came up with an early contender for the worst joke of the competition, when noting that after the sad demise of Paul the Psychic Octopus, this year's alleged psychic World Cup animal is, apparently, a turtle. 'As someone famously said,' he told Mark Lawrenson, 'you win nothing with Squids.' Don't call us, Steve, we'll call you. To be fair, he did make up for it by the end, with one genuinely witty line ('there's not a trutle or an octopus in the world who could've seen this coming') and, finding space for quote from R.E.M. For Spain, it really might be the end of the world as we know it.
In the day's third game, Alexis Sanchez scored one and made another as one of the world's real cult sides, Chile started their World Cup campaign with a win over Australia. Sanchez finished from close range in the twelfth minute and then set up Jorge Valdivia to drive in from outside the area two minutes later. Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill pulled one back with a header from Ivan Franjic's cross before half-time. The New York Red Bulls player has scored four of Australia's nine goals in World Cups and has found the net in three different tournaments. After an anxious second half, Wigan Not Very Athletic's Jean Beausejour's long-range effort added Chile's third in added time. Tipped by many as having a strong chance of progressing from Group B, Chile will have been buoyed by the Netherlands' 5-1 win over Spain, whom they face next on Wednesday. Having recently given England a footballing lesson at Wembley, they looked likely to have the luxury of focusing on building a big cushion of goal difference ahead of their meeting with Vicente Del Bosque's world champions when they moved two ahead inside fourteen minutes. But, up against Chile defenders Gary Medel, used in midfield by Cardiff this season, and Gonzalo Jara, who has just been released by Nottingham Forest, Cahill's threat in the air helped the stubborn, hard working Australian side back into the contest. 
Chile's attack only justified its strong reputation in flashes and they looked far from secure at the back but they have a chance to take a big step towards the second round when they face Spain. They took the lead when Charles Aranguiz managed to get in behind The Socceroos defence for the first time after eleven minutes, and when Eduardo Vargas headed down from the midfielder's cross, Sanchez guided in at the near post. The advantage was doubled when Barcelona forward Sanchez picked out Valdivia and the Palmeiras midfielder hit a dipping shot in off the underside of the bar from twenty five yards. Starting just five weeks after knee surgery, midfielder Arturo Vidal drove wide after another incisive move. But a slackness crept into their play and Cahill, renowned for his aerial ability in his time at Everton, rose above Medel to thump in from a Franjic cross. After the break, Cahill had an effort ruled out for offside before Tommy Oar's cross was met with a firm half-volley from Bresciano only for Bravo to push around the post. Chile came close to a third when Sanchez threaded through for Vargas and the Valencia forward's poked effort was hacked off the line by Alex Wilkinson. Cahill headed over from another Jason Davidson cross as Australia continued to threaten. But after Mauricio Panilla's shot was saved by Matthew Ryan, fellow substitute Beausejour found the corner with the rebound.
FIFA has, provisionally, banned World Cup winner Franz Beckenbauer from 'all footballing activities' (whatever the hell that means) for ninety days for 'failing to co-operate' with the Qatar 2022 corruption inquiry. So that means, presumably, if Der Kaiser fancies a kick-out with some kids in the local park, he can't, cos he's banned. Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with West Germany as both a player and as a coach, had been asked to help with a FIFA ethics investigation. The sixty eight-year-old was part of the FIFA executive committee which voted to give the tournament to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Beckenbauer captained West Germany to victory at the 1974 World Cup, and was coach when they next lifted the trophy sixteen years later. He then managed at Olympique Marseille and Bayern München, where he is now honorary president. FIFA said that Beckenbauer had ignored 'repeated requests' to 'assist' with an independent investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments which is being led by American lawyer Michael Garcia. But Beckenbauer said:
'I politely requested a meeting in which we could talk about the matter in German. That was apparently not desired. That aside I wouldn't be able to contribute anything to clear up the matter anyway.' World football's governing body said that he was asked to supply answers to written questions provided in both English and German. In a statement, FIFA said: 'The apparent breach relates to Mr Beckenbauer's failure to co-operate with an ethics committee investigation despite repeated requests for his assistance. The case is now the subject of formal investigation proceedings being conducted by investigatory chamber member Vanessa Allard as chief of the investigation.' FIFA vice president Jim Boyce said: 'This very much shows once again how the FIFA reform process is working. The independent ethics committee are doing a good job and should have the full support of everybody.' The Sunday Times recently published an investigation based on documents it obtained alleging that disgraced Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam made payments totalling five million dollars to football officials in return for their support for the Qatar bid. Garcia says that he now has 'almost all' of the documents that the British paper's report referred to.
Fellow defender Vedran Corluka thought that the decision was 'embarrassing.' Croatia coach Niko Kovac stated that Croatia might as well 'give up and go home. We talk about respect, that wasn't respect, Croatia didn't get any. If that's a penalty, we don't need to play football any more. Let's play basketball instead. It's a shame,' said the forty two-year-old. 'If you continue like this you will have one hundred penalties. I think two and a half billion people watching on TV saw this was not a penalty.' The decision came at a pivotal moment in the match. Brazil were dominating possession with Croatia holding out for what would have been a respectable draw. But then Fluminense striker Fred received the ball in the middle of the box with his back to goal and went down under the challenge of Lovren. 'Fred is an eighty five kilogram man and I don't believe he can be brought to the ground in such a manner,' added Kovac. 'I cannot blame Fred at all - everyone tries it on. Like it or not, this is part and parcel of football. What I want is for referees to stick to the laws of the game and apply them equally to both teams.' Meanwhile the Daily Mirra reports that Congolese football fans once vandalised Chinese restaurants after another particularly controversial display from Nishimura. In a World Club Cup game in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, fans of the offended team, TP Mazembe, went looking for a bit of post-match vengeance. Social media in Japan also lit up after the official's decision to give a soft penalty to Brazil which changed the balance of the closely fought match. Several posts showed mocked-up photos of Nishimura wearing a Brazil jersey. Meanwhile, here's something which, somewhat, gives lie to all those who suggest that Brazil are only playing with one up front these days.
Vanishing spray to stop encroachment at free-kicks was used for the first time in Brazil's win over Croatia. Yuichi Nishimura used the spray when Croatia gave away a first-half free-kick in Sao Paulo. For free-kicks near the penalty area, the referee sprays a circle round the ball and paces out ten yards from where it has been placed. The line marks the position where the defensive wall should stand. The spray disappears from the grass within a minute. The system has been used in Brazilian and Argentine football for several seasons, and was also trialled at last year's Under-Twenty World Cup. It will also be introduced to the Champions League next season.
An equaliser would have been harsh on a Mexico side who put on an impressive performance, combining a strong work ethic with an attacking threat and should serve them well when they play hosts Brazil on Tuesday 17 June although the do, undeniably, look a bit fragile at the back. Peralta's seventh goal in nine competitive games prevented the dubious refereeing decisions from overshadowing the victory, while Cameroon's quality and prospects of getting into the second round appear limited with Croatia and Brazil to come next. There were questions about how these countries would fare, with both sides changing managers in World Cup qualifying campaigns they scraped through. A nimble Mexico, though, appeared determined to make the most of their time in Brazil, while a powerful-looking Cameroon showed their struggles had continued into the tournament. The African side struggled to deal with the wing-backs in the five-three-two formation employed by The Aztecs, who appeared to have a legitimate early goal disallowed. When a late USA goal against Panama meant that Mexico managed to qualify for the play-offs, the Mexican TV commentator infamously noted that the Americans had done them a favour:
'It is because of the USA not any of you in the green shirts. They did it, not you! You do nothing for the shirt, you do not put in any effort for the team. Mexico is a horror, just terrible. A failure.' It's hard to imagine someone from ITV saying that about England, I'm sure you'll agree. Although, funnily enough, it's quite easy to imagine somebody from ITV saying that about Adrian Chiles. For the Mexico versus Cameroon game, ITV were employing Clarke Carlisle, their own 'captive intelligent footballer.' Who is just like the BBC's captive intelligent footballer, Garth Crooks, in that he can talk for England. Unlike Crooks, however, Carlisle never actually played for England. Northampton, yes, but not England. The Netherlands produced one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history coming from a behind to annihilate the reigning champions Spain 5-1 in a stunned Arena Fonte Nova. This was a repeat of the 2010 final but the Dutch fell at the group stage of Euro 2012, which Spain won to seal a third consecutive major international trophy. Spain were humbled and humiliated - the last time they conceded five goals in an international match was in 1963 - and it might not only be a fatal blow to their hopes in this tournament, but it could signal the end of an era for one of the game's greatest teams. Three-time runners-up Netherlands will suddenly find themselves talked about among the leading contenders to lift the title and it is not unrealistic if they maintain this level of display and don't pull their usual trick of fighting among themselves. Xabi Alonso's penalty gave Spain the lead after Stefan de Vrij tripped Diego Costa and at that stage everything appeared to be going according to the script but Robin van Persie equalised just before half-time with a superb acrobatic diving header after Daley Blind's pinpoint fifty yard pass. Arjen Robben cut inside Gerard Pique to score early in the second half before De Vrij nodded in to put the Dutch 3-1 up following a free kick. A horrible error from the Spanish goalkeeper, Ilker Casillas, enabled van Persie to make it four after seventy two minutes, while Robben's brilliant solo effort completed the rout. It was a brilliant performance by the Dutch - so disappointing in final four years ago - whose pace and passing the Spanish were unable to live with. In fact, the Netherlands could easily have scored more, Van Persie hitting the bar and Casillas - who was at fault for at least two of the goals - brilliantly saving from a stunning Robben volley. It was Louis van Gaal's men who created the first clear chance when Robben slipped Wesley Sneijder clean through, Casillas saving his side with a one-handed save.
That miss appeared costly when Xavi released Costa and he fell under the challenge of De Vrij, Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the spot despite replays showing Costa had stood on the Feyenoord defender's leg. Alonso slotted past Jasper Cillessen to cue Spanish celebrations - but rather than leading to a period of dominance, Vincent del Bosque's men sat back and tried to defend their lead. It proved costly. After David Silva wasted a glorious opportunity that would come back to haunt Spain, Netherlands accepted the invitation to get forward and finally enjoyed some possession. They grew in confidence and stunned Spain when Van Persie escaped the attentions of Sergio Ramos and met Daley Blind's crossfield pass with an astonishing header that looped over a despairing Casillas. The goal will be shown again and again for years to come. Netherlands left the field at the break embracing each other with wide smiles - Spain looked shellshocked - and they carried that momentum into the second half. Van Gaal's men deservedly took the lead when Xavi - the heartbeat of Spain's midfield for so long - lost possession and Blind supplied another pinpoint aerial pass from the left, which Robben controlled before eluding Gerard Pique and finishing confidently. Spain were now rocking and Van Persie fired against the bar before De Vrij bundled a third goal over the line after Casillas missed Sneijder's set-piece. The goalkeeper protested that he had been impeded by Van Persie but Rizzoli (who had a fine game and, somewhat, restored faith in the officials after the blunders of the first two games) was unmoved. Casillas had endured a torrid evening and it deteriorated further when he miscontrolled a backpass and Van Persie was presented with an empty net. Silva had a strike disallowed for offside but was then guilty of poor control, allowing Robben to counter-attack, outpace Ramos and wrap up the scoring with one of the great World Cup goals. Spain were in pieces and continued to be torn apart, substitute Jeremain Lens and Robben both going close. Substitute Fernando Torres looked certain to register a consolation, only for Blind to arrive with a timely last-ditch challenge. The full-time whistle was met with scenes of Dutch joy and Spanish woe, on the turf and in the stands. Netherlands embarked upon a lap of honour. It was a result that will send shockwaves through world football. 'The Netherlands were sensational,' noted Alan Shearer. 'That goal just before half time gave them unbelievable confidence and it could have and should have been seven or eight. Some of the performances - Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Daley Blind down that wing. They were absolutely brilliant. I have never seen that Spain back four pulled around as much as they were tonight.' To sum up, then a team containing Ron Vlaar, Daryl Janmaat and Stefan de Vrij has just walloped Spain. This was where the World Cup starts, with a shock and the spirit of The Oranj raised once more (even though they were wearing blue). Football is brilliant isn't it? 'We've just seen one of the greatest displays in yonks,' said a breathless Gary Lineker at the conclusion of a memorable episode of Match Of The Day Live. And I must say, as for the BBC's coverage overall - Thierry Henry being in love with his own reflection notwithstanding - after two matches watching the rubbish ITV serve up, wasn't it just beyond terrific to finally be watching some professional broadcasters?
Even Rio Ferdinand wasn't as annoying as this blogger had feared, though the bit when he was talking about having watched the opening match with 'the twins' did summon up quite a few remarkable images in Keith Telly Topping's head before discovering that he was talking about Fábio and Raefael. And it took just eleven minutes before Shearer cracked his first joke in ... well, recorded history, actually. It was about elbowing somebody in the face. First rule of comedy, talk about what you know. God bless the BBC! Mind you, Steve Wllson came up with an early contender for the worst joke of the competition, when noting that after the sad demise of Paul the Psychic Octopus, this year's alleged psychic World Cup animal is, apparently, a turtle. 'As someone famously said,' he told Mark Lawrenson, 'you win nothing with Squids.' Don't call us, Steve, we'll call you. To be fair, he did make up for it by the end, with one genuinely witty line ('there's not a trutle or an octopus in the world who could've seen this coming') and, finding space for quote from R.E.M. For Spain, it really might be the end of the world as we know it.
Chile's attack only justified its strong reputation in flashes and they looked far from secure at the back but they have a chance to take a big step towards the second round when they face Spain. They took the lead when Charles Aranguiz managed to get in behind The Socceroos defence for the first time after eleven minutes, and when Eduardo Vargas headed down from the midfielder's cross, Sanchez guided in at the near post. The advantage was doubled when Barcelona forward Sanchez picked out Valdivia and the Palmeiras midfielder hit a dipping shot in off the underside of the bar from twenty five yards. Starting just five weeks after knee surgery, midfielder Arturo Vidal drove wide after another incisive move. But a slackness crept into their play and Cahill, renowned for his aerial ability in his time at Everton, rose above Medel to thump in from a Franjic cross. After the break, Cahill had an effort ruled out for offside before Tommy Oar's cross was met with a firm half-volley from Bresciano only for Bravo to push around the post. Chile came close to a third when Sanchez threaded through for Vargas and the Valencia forward's poked effort was hacked off the line by Alex Wilkinson. Cahill headed over from another Jason Davidson cross as Australia continued to threaten. But after Mauricio Panilla's shot was saved by Matthew Ryan, fellow substitute Beausejour found the corner with the rebound. FIFA has, provisionally, banned World Cup winner Franz Beckenbauer from 'all footballing activities' (whatever the hell that means) for ninety days for 'failing to co-operate' with the Qatar 2022 corruption inquiry. So that means, presumably, if Der Kaiser fancies a kick-out with some kids in the local park, he can't, cos he's banned. Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with West Germany as both a player and as a coach, had been asked to help with a FIFA ethics investigation. The sixty eight-year-old was part of the FIFA executive committee which voted to give the tournament to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Beckenbauer captained West Germany to victory at the 1974 World Cup, and was coach when they next lifted the trophy sixteen years later. He then managed at Olympique Marseille and Bayern München, where he is now honorary president. FIFA said that Beckenbauer had ignored 'repeated requests' to 'assist' with an independent investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments which is being led by American lawyer Michael Garcia. But Beckenbauer said:
'I politely requested a meeting in which we could talk about the matter in German. That was apparently not desired. That aside I wouldn't be able to contribute anything to clear up the matter anyway.' World football's governing body said that he was asked to supply answers to written questions provided in both English and German. In a statement, FIFA said: 'The apparent breach relates to Mr Beckenbauer's failure to co-operate with an ethics committee investigation despite repeated requests for his assistance. The case is now the subject of formal investigation proceedings being conducted by investigatory chamber member Vanessa Allard as chief of the investigation.' FIFA vice president Jim Boyce said: 'This very much shows once again how the FIFA reform process is working. The independent ethics committee are doing a good job and should have the full support of everybody.' The Sunday Times recently published an investigation based on documents it obtained alleging that disgraced Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam made payments totalling five million dollars to football officials in return for their support for the Qatar bid. Garcia says that he now has 'almost all' of the documents that the British paper's report referred to. 
