The Bible Society has called on the nation to forgive David Beckham for the sending-off that many feel cost England their World Cup match with Argentina.

Director of the society Dr David Spriggs said: "David Beckham is a human being like you and me. Every day, all of us make terrible mistakes... if we don't forgive him now we are guilty of terrible hypocrisy."

Meanwhile, a pub landlord in East Sussex is suing Beckham for loss of earnings. Phil Murray of the Horse and Groom, Inglewood, claims that Beckham cost England a place in the quarter-finals, and cost Murray at least one more night of bumper takings as fans packed his pub to watch the match. Beckham was summoned by papers submitted at Brighton County Court. They demand a token 100 Pounds compensation plus 10 Pounds costs.

Divine intervention

Brazilian priests at a religious gathering believe the Virgin of Guadaloupe intervened in a World Cup victory.

The Brazilian priests are attending a week-longmeeting of 4,000 Roman Catholic priests from five continents being held at the Basilica of Guadaloupe, Mexico's holiest shrine.

During sessions on Wednesday, the priests draped Brazil's flag on a wall after the team advanced to the World Cup finals with a win on Tuesday against the Netherlands.

L'Equipe's grudging congratulations

Sports daily L'Equipe, which has waged an anti-Aime Jacquet campaign for the last two years, has grudgingly acknowledged the coach's achievement in taking France to the World Cup final. "We still don't agree with his tactics and selection but in sport only the result counts," wrote editor Jerome Bureau in Thursday's edition.

Condemned to win

Michel Platini says France must make absolutely sure they win the tournament having reached the final after three semi-final defeats.

"Now we're finally there we just must win. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make history," said Platini, who twice experienced the agony of losing out in the semis in 1982 and 1986 --both times to Germany.

Platini is the only French skipper to date to get his hands on a trophy -- at the European Championship in 1984.

Les Blues can keep their colours

One relief for France as they prepare to play Brazil in the final is that they will be able to play in their traditional tri-colour strip -- blue shirts, white shorts and red socks. Les Blues had to play in all-white against Italy, and with blue shorts against Croatia.