Capello Asks England to Mind Their Language
England captain Steven Gerrard revealed that Fabio Capello has warned his players that ill discipline could cost them the World Cup.
The Italian-born England manager and his support staff talked to all the players individually and asked them to behave themselves and show respect to the referees.
Gerrard was quick to dismiss fears that Wayne Rooney could be especially targeted by the officials as well as opposition players.
The USA, England's first opponent in the 2010 World Cup Saturday, has already suggested that they have, in the past, played on Rooney's fragile temper.
Rooney's reputation might precede him when it comes to officials.
Only this week, the striker was warned by local referee Jeff Selogilwe, who was in charge at England's warm-up game against Platinum Stars, about keeping his temper in control or risk being sent off after Rooney had directed a tirade of abuse at him.
Gerrard is confident in Wayne Rooney's maturity and feels that the striker is aware of his responsibilities. "I'm not sure whether he'll be targeted, we'll wait and see," he said. "Wayne's experienced enough now to deal with it if he is. Wayne understands we need him on the pitch, he's a very important player, and every player has been warned by the manager and coaching staff to channel their frustration in the right way and not get involved with the referees or with any silly challenges."
In what seems like an aftermath of Rooney's temper tantrum, FIFA have taken it upon themselves to give the referees a crash course in English swear words for Saturday's Group C encounter. Brazilian referee Simon Carlos, a former journalist who speaks English fluently, and the linesmen Altemir Hausmann and Roberto Braatz, were given a list of 20 English swear words in preparation of the match.
We have to learn what kinds of words the players say," Hausmann said. "All players swear, and we know we will hear a few 'son of a…'".
Braatz was quick to add, "We can't do this in 11 different languages, but at least we have to know the swear words in English." Capello seems to realize the danger that a misplaced word or two poses for England's World Cup dream.
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