Here is a link to an article from Henry Winter that appears in Tuesday’s Daily Telegraph. Winter says that when the Premiership kicks-off on Saturday we can expect to see the end of the ridiculous practice of players kicking the ball out whenever someone goes down – sometimes with injuries as severe as a broken nail.

Thank goodness. This “convention” has become abused over the years, was first seen at the European Championship in 1988 if I remember correctly. Now it looks like the Premiership is placing the decision whether to stop the play or not, back in the hand – or the mouth – of the only person who is supposed to decide – the referee. 

The Final did well on television in the USA, and this is just the ABC numbers.

A National Post article on how women have embraced the World Cup.

The Independent claims to know what Materazzi said.

Graeme Le Saux ,who sufferred more than his share of taunting, has put together a very interesting article.

The Independent has also put together quotes from the World Cup - some of them are very funny.

The Daily Telegraph panel of experts give their views on the 2006 World Cup Finals.