France hotel too expensive PARIS: France sports minister Rama Yade questioned whether the national football squad needed such luxurious lodgings at the World Cup,suggesting instead a thriftier option should have been used during a time of economic crisis. The squad is staying at the Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna on the Indian Ocean. Rooms start at $595 a night during the low season. Personally,I wouldnt have chosen this hotel, Yade told Radio J,adding that she had urged football authorities to show decency because of the economic downturn and noting that Spains team are staying at a university campus. Morale low for Domenechs team KNYSNA: Despite France coach Raymond Domenechs perpetually upbeat attitude,confidence is running low among his players ahead of Fridays World Cup opener against Uruguay. Following two unconvincing warm-up matches,the French need to improve to stand any chance of repeating their performance four years ago,when they reached the World Cup final. France were beaten by China 1-0 Friday after being outplayed in 1-1 draw against Tunisia. Things aren't perfect,as we saw against China, France midfielder Alou Diarra said Sunday. Well have to be ready on Friday. Emergency warm-up for Japan george: Japan have lined up an extra match on the eve of the World Cup to make some late tweaks after an alarming run of form in the build-up to the finals. Japan slumped to their fourth defeat in a row against Ivory Coast last Friday and coach Takeshi Okada has pencilled in a game before the tournament begins on June 11. We have asked for a practice game and I think it will be okay, Okada said. We are looking at playing a national side, added Okada. If that cant happen we will look at some local team. Blatter against tech-tonic shift PRETORIA: Using technology in football will only serve to damage the passion and emotion felt for the sport,FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Sunday. Footballs world governing body continues to resist using technology to aid decisions on controversial incidents during matches,including helping referees to judge whether a ball has crossed the goal line. Blatter said the sport should keep its human element,allowing everyone to have their say. Aussie keeper returns home JOHANNESBURG: Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones cut his World Cup stay short,returning home to deal with a serious illness in his family and is unlikely to be back,coach Pim Verbeek said on Sunday. Jones left on Saturday,less than a week before the start of the tournament. We decided to let him go to his family and let him stay there as long as he likes, Verbeek said at a press briefing at the teams training camp near Johannesburg. We expect him not to come back,that says enough about the seriousness of the matter.
