WORLD CUP DIGEST

England: ROONEY HANDED TWO-MATCH BAN

Wayne Rooney has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in England's World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal.

The governing body found the 20-year-old firebrand guilty of violent conduct despite the Football Association and the striker himself arguing his case.

The Manchester United forward will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra on September 2 at Old Trafford and Macedonia away on September 6.

Rooney and new England coach Steve McClaren will be relieved that FIFA did not impose a three-match ban or worse.

The two-match ban means that Rooney will be available for England's Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Macedonia at Old Trafford on Saturday October 7.

FIFA have also banned two Argentina players for their part in the fracas at the end of the quarter-final against Germany.

Leandro Cufre has been suspended for four matches and fined £4,800 (10,000 Swiss francs) for kicking German defender Per Mertesacker in the groin.

Italy: LIPPI DEMANDS FINAL PUSH FOR GLORY

Italy have made a terrific run to the World Cup final but it will mean nothing to coach Marcello Lippi if they fail to beat France on Sunday.

The Azzurri go into the game on the back of their dramatic extra-time triumph over Germany, when late goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero earned the Italians a 2-0 victory.

Success in that incredible encounter sparked celebrations from Turin to Naples and beyond but Lippi has little time for those who say his team have had a great tournament even if they fail to beat the French.

"I don't want to hear phrases like, 'whatever happens, we will be satisfied with this World Cup,"' said Lippi.

"I know that having arrived so far....to not win it would make me very angry.

"Above all, we have to be aware that this opportunity may not come again in the near future."

Italy: LIPPI RUBBISHES UNITED LINK

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has brushed aside speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United after the World Cup.

Lippi, who is yet to confirm whether he will remain in charge of the national team after Sunday's final against France, has been mentioned as a potential successor to Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

"How can you work in a place where you don't even know the language?" said Lippi when questioned about the possibility of going to the English giants.

"It's not true. All that I am interested in is winning the World Cup and I find it useless to speak about the rest.

"If you don't believe me, come and see where I will be in 15 or 20 days' time.

"It will not be in Manchester, I will be in the middle of the sea," added Lippi, who is a keen sailor.

England: OWEN SLAMS SVEN'S LONE STRIKER TACTIC

Michael Owen believes Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker during last Saturday's World Cup clash with Portugal contributed to England's downfall.

The Newcastle striker Owen has suggested Rooney's frustration at not getting enough support up front played a part in his eventual sending-off for a foul on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.

England battled on bravely to keep Portugal at bay during regulation play and extra-time but then went out on penalties.

In an interview to be shown during ITV1's World Cup final coverage, Owen said: "You would suggest he's probably only got angry because of what's happened in the first hour of that game. It's a frustrating role to play.

"Wayne Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world and you're cutting one of his legs off if you're playing just one up front," quotes The Sun.

France: HURST - FRANCE NEED HENRY'S BEST

Sir Geoff Hurst claims Thierry Henry must prove he is the best footballer on the planet if France are to win the World Cup.

Hurst is backing Italy to beat the French in tomorrow's World Cup final in Berlin.

But England's hat-trick hero from 1966 believes Henry is the man who can prove him wrong if he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck.

Hurst said: "Thierry Henry is one of the best two players in the world today - along with Ronaldinho.

"He has been magnificent for Arsenal, not only in the league but also in the Champions League, and this is a platform for him to show he can be rightly regarded as the best player in the world.

"He is the man among the French team who can change the result if he plays the game of his life. He is that good."

South Africa: SOUTH AFRICA UNVEIL PLANS FOR 2010

South Africa unveiled their plans for the 2010 World Cup on Friday but freak storms in Berlin meant the cancellation of an open air concert featuring German and African musicians in the evening.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who hails from Ghana, and South African president Thabo Mbeki were among those who attended the press launch.

Both men are also expected at Sunday's final between Italy and France at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

"This is indeed an exciting day, not only for all Africans, but for all lovers of the universal language of football," said Annan in a FIFA press release.

"The international community can be envious of the FIFA World Cup and should learn from the spirit of teamwork and fair play that the most universal of sports stands for."

The emblem for 2010 was unveiled featuring a silhouette of a footballer against a colourful backdrop with red, gold and green - colours associated with the continent of Africa - while there was also an exhibition of the nine host venues that will stage the 2010 tournament, the first to be staged in the continent.

Garmany: KLINSMANN: ZIDANE DESERVES FINAL FLING

Jurgen Klinsmann believes it is a fitting tribute for Zinedine Zidane to end his glittering career in Sunday's World Cup final.

Zidane scored twice in the 1998 final as France beat Brazil in Paris to win the trophy for the first time.

He initially retired from international football after Euro 2004, along with Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele.

The trio were tempted to return by boss Raymond Domenech but Real Madrid maestro Zidane will retire from all football after tomorrow's Berlin showpiece against Italy.

Klinsmann said: "I have always been a huge fan of Zizou, the way he plays and what he achieves, how he gets his time.

"Even if you are a coach, you can be a fan of a player of his status and talent.

Italy: BUFFON: GOALKEEPING RECORD A BONUS

Gianluigi Buffon will establish a new mark of excellence if he keeps a clean sheet for the first 63 minutes of Sunday's World Cup final against France but the goalkeeper admits the record will count for nothing if Italy fail to lift the trophy.

The Juventus star has not conceded a goal for 453 minutes, the second best run in the history of the tournament behind compatriot Walter Zenga, who went an incredible 517 minutes without being beaten at Italia 90.

"Of course I am interested in beating that record but only if it means Italy have not conceded a goal in the final," he said.

"On Sunday, I want to make my dream come true, win the game and finally touch the World Cup trophy."

Italy's defence has been as strong as ever at the tournament, with Fabio Cannavaro proving to be a rock for the Azzurri in every game.

There have been moments when Buffon has been called into action, however, and he has been equal to the task.

Germany: SAGNOL: ZIZOU CAN UNLOCK ITALY

France defender Willy Sagnol admits Sunday's World Cup final is likely to be a close encounter - but believes team-mate Zinedine Zidane could hold the key to the outcome.

Zidane was the hero of France's 1998 success, with two goals in the 3-0 final win over Brazil, and will retire after showpiece final against Italy at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Sagnol accepts the Azzurri are a solid outfit - Marcello Lippi's side have conceded only one goal in the entire tournament - but the defender believes Zidane has the ability to cap his career with one more match-winning display.

"Italy have been playing very well," said Sagnol. "They crushed Ukraine in the quarter-finals and then got to the final by beating Germany very well so it will not be easy."

Asked who the best Italian player is, Sagnol said: "Their best player is their whole team.

"They have [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Fabio] Cannavaro, [Francesco] Totti and [Luca] Toni - they will be very difficult opponents for France, but France will be very difficult opponents for Italy.

Portugal: SCOLARI IN NO RUSH TO SORT OUT NEW DEAL

Luiz Felipe Scolari will be putting his "personal satisfaction" over his wallet when negotiating a new contract with the Portuguese FA (FPF) after the World Cup tournament.

Big Phil's current contract as Portugal boss is about to come to an end, and after leading the country to the Euro 2004 final and the World Cup semi-finals, the FPF would be more than happy to continue the successful alliance.

Portugal clash with host nation Germany in Stuttgart tonight to battle it out for the bronze medal, but Scolari has said he will not consider any contract issues before next Wednesday.

"I have been talking to the president (Gilberto Madail) but there has not been a decision yet," he stated. "I do not want to think about it now. I don't want to shift the attention from the match against Germany.

"I have a lot of respect for all the players and I have a great friendship with the president and after the World Cup we are going to decide what we will do."

Scolari revealed money was a factor, but certainly not the most important one.