Augustine, expelled from South Africa's World Cup squad alongside Naughty Mokoena, apologised yesterday for letting down his team-mates. The pair were sent home after breaking a curfew and made an emotional departure from the team's headquarters at Vichy.

At the same time officials disclosed there had been two previous incidents in France where players broke curfews set by the coach Philippe Troussier. A group of 15 was involved in the first incident and five in the second, two days later. All face fines.

Argentine connection

Fans in the Irish village of Foxford are supporting Argentina in the absence of their own team in France. Their reason for backing the South American two-times champions goes back 200 years -- but it's enough for the inhabitants to have decked out the village in sky blue and white.

Foxford's claim to fame is that the former admiral of the Argentine navy, William Brown, was born there 221 years ago. Brown didn't stay long -- he emigrated as achild with his family -- but the villagers want to erect a statue to him. "We hope the Argentine team visits us if they win the World Cup," said Marian Trench, who is leading the campaign to have a monument built to Brown.

France98.com is a hit

The official World Cup website has scored with internet surfers around the globe, recording 450 million `hits' since the tournament kicked off on June 10, Cup organisers said. Some 10 million people from no less than 170 countries have visited the www.France98.com site, which carries results, news and quotes from leading players and coaches. A peak was reached last Monday when 59 million hits were registered.

It's a stitch up: Maradona

Argentina's former skipper Diego Maradona claims the World Cup is rigged and that FIFA have an arrangement to ensure that hosts France win. "I think that this cup is bound to go to France ... it's all a stitch up, " Maradona told Argentine television. "I think it all started when (Sepp) Blatter announced he is thenew FIFA president after the vote (at the FIFA general Assembly held before the tournament)."

`Kits on' offer for meals

"La Tour Rose", a restaurant in Lyon's old quarter, is offering half-price meals to customers who turn up in football kit. "The offer doesn't apply to those dressed as fans -- a simple scarf won't do," the restaurant announced. Its waiters and waitresses are dressed as referees for the duration of the world cup.

Inzaghi votes Japan

Top Italian striker Filippo "Superpippo" Inzaghi has paid tribute to a Japan side who will be going out of the World Cup finals with their heads high. The Juventus ace said, "The team that I've liked most so far is Japan.

They're fast, they're good technically and they're proof that there aren't any weak team any more. I'm sorry that they are going out of the tournament, but it's just an "arrivederci" for 2002."

Mehdi in demand

Mehdi Mahdavikia, scorer of Iran's second goal against the United States in Lyon on Sunday night, isthe subject of a transfer wrangle. The 20-year-old Asian Young Player of the Year, who plays for Pirouzi, was expected to follow three of his Iran team-mates to Germany.