Fifa have rejected an appeal to cancel the yellow card received by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo against Ivory Coast. The decision means that if Ronaldo receives a yellow card against North Korea tomorrow he will be suspended for Portugal's final Group G match against Brazil four days later.
Vicente del Bosque will stay on as Spain coach even if he fails to lead the pre-tournament favourites past the opening round. Angel Villar Mar, the Spanish federation president, said that "whatever happens at the World Cup, Del Bosque will continue as coach". Spain lost their opener 1-0 to Switzerland.
Javier Mascherano, the Argentina captain, has hinted he would be open to a move to Inter Milan should former Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez, the Italian giants' new manager, wish to be reunited. In remarks reported by Britain's Daily Star, he said: "Me to Inter? Ask Benitez. He is the one who knows more."
