Italy’s coach Lippi in bust up with journalist after match

Italy coach Marcelo Lippi was involved in a bust up with an Italian journalist during a post match interview.

Lippi who guided Italy to Germany 2006 glory took exception with an Italian journalist who questioned his wisdom not to start with former US-born kid, Giuseppe Rossi.

Rossi went in and within a minute the 22-year-old smashed in a thunderous strike past Everton’s Tim Howard to level things at Loftus Versfeld in Tswane (Pretoria) in Italy’s 3-1 comeback win.

An interpretor struggled to keep journalists abreast of the altercation between the two.

********************************

The economic hardship could be sinking in on the Fifa aficionado especially after the Spain versus New Zealand clash at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, in Rustenburg.

Fifa President Sepp Blatter has criticised the Confederations Cup local organising committee for lack of supporters as Spain thrashed New Zealand 5-0 on Sunday night. Despite the presence of the European champions and world number one ranked side, the stadium was at best half full, a seriously poor attendance for a first match of the tournament.

*********************************

The South African Police Service have reportedly deployed 800 additional police officers to beef-up security at three of the four stadiums used for Confederations Cup matches.

During the opening match on Sunday at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 300 extra police officers were deployed.

—Robin Toskin in Pretoria