Howard Webb's appointment as referee for the World Cup final has been greeted with dismay by the Spanish press.
The Yorkshire official was made the media's scapegoat for Spain's shock defeat by Switzerland in its opening game of the tournament, although neither coach Vicente del Bosque nor any of the players made critical remarks about his performance.
Spanish sports daily Marca said: "Bad news - Webb will referee the final."
Sports newspaper AS said Webb's appointment was 'debatable' and that he had made two mistakes in the game against Switzerland.
Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo was equally despondent ahead of the final against Holland saying: "Bad memories for La Roja [The Reds]."
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has sent a letter of condolence to the wife of Bob Millward, the chief football writer of the Associated Press who collapsed and died in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Millward, 58, from Birmingham had reported on seven World Cups and numerous Olympic Games during his career.
In his letter to Millward's wife Pauline, Blatter says: "I remember Robert Millward as a true connoisseur of sport in general and football in particular."
"He has always been a dedicated professional who had covered a total number of seven World Cups."
Millward was a fervent West Brom fan and his wife wants to have his ashes scatted at the Hawthorns.
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The company that runs the airports in South Africa will pay some compensation to fans who missed Wednesday's semi-final between Germany and Spain.
Six flights carrying supporters were turned away from Durban's new airport due to congestion and diverted to Johannesburg.
FIFA on Thursday insisted it had no responsibility for the foul-up and on Friday local organisers said the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) would make a goodwill gesture to the fans.
Organising committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo said: "Anybody who can prove they had a ticket for the match on these flights qualifies for this gesture of goodwill."
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The news that the Netherlands had been fearing has arrived: Paul the psychic octopus has predicted that Spain will triumph on Sunday.
The octopus, who has a 100 percent success rate in predictions for this World Cup, has also predicted Germany will beat Uruguay in the third place play-off.
Mind you, what would anyone expect given that the Netherlands and Germany have such rivalry and Paul lives in Oberhausen.
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That Mitchell and Webb link: Howard Webb is referee for Sunday's final, exactly 60 years after Scotsman David Mitchell ran the line in the 1950 final.
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Two Spain players, Sergio Busquets and Pedro, had cash and documents stolen from their hotel rooms ahead of their World Cup semi-final win over Germany in Durban.
Pedro had the equivalent of around 700 pounds taken while Busquets, who lost a sum worth around 500 pounds and his passport, said: "Nobody likes to be robbed but I'll exchange all of my documents for the World Cup."
It is not the first time this tournament that thieves have targeted players in Durban - three Greece players also suffered a theft of cash from their hotel rooms just outside the city.
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Sepp Blatter may be a household name now in South Africa but the same cannot be said of IOC president Jacques Rogge.
A press statement released by the South African president's office said: "Jacob Zuma will meet International Olympic Committee president Jacques Roggers tomorrow."
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Former England captain David Beckham has revealed he will be backing Spain in the