■ United States
Even Condi is critical
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice doesn't know much about non-American football. But she does know that the US side had better raise its game if it hopes to stay in the World Cup hunt. Asked at a news conference about yesterday's match between Italy and the United States, Rice tried to play the good diplomat. "I learned a long time ago not to hold strong opinions or predictions about something about which I have so little expertise, as soccer, or European football," she told reporters. But the top US diplomat, an avid fan of American football, could not resist a comment on her country's performance in its 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic. "Obviously, I would like to see the United States do well," she said. "But even I, a pure novice in watching soccer, knows that they will have to play a lot better than they did."
■ United States
Coach plays down war gaffe
United States coach Bruce Arena tried to put the war metaphor to rest on Friday, saying striker Eddie Johnson was wrong to compare soccer with battle. Johnson, a 22-year-old forward, earlier this week likened the Americans' World Cup game against Italy to war, saying part of the motivation to do well was knowing the team was being watched by US troops. The remarks drew attention in Italian newspapers. "A young player making a mistake, and a press corps that was glad to jump on that," Arena said on Friday. "We are not disrespectful of using the word `war' for a soccer game, for a football match. That's stupid if anyone believes that was really an intended use of that word."
■ Security
Robots have little to do
Robots are being used to patrol a stadium at the World Cup for the first time, although they haven't had much of a chance to show off what they can do. The Berlin company Robowatch has developed two surveillance robots -- one is similar to those used by the US military as scouts in Iraq -- and 11 of them are patrolling underground parking lots inside Berlin's Olympic Stadium and a soccer-sized field next to the arena covered by tents holding the media, sponsors and VIPs. "This is the first time robots like this have ever been used at a major sporting event," Robowatch spokesman Benjamin Stengl said. "They haven't caught anybody, they haven't actually had much to do. This has been a very safe World Cup, luckily." The outdoor robot OFRO uses thermal cameras at night to spot intruders through their body heat. It is capable of far more -- sensors can detect radiation, including alpha, beta and gamma, along with toxins, viruses and chemical warfare agents.
■ Referees
Beckenbauer blasts cards
Franz Beckenbauer, head of Germany 2006, said on Friday that World Cup referees are handing out too many yellow cards and accused an African official of stupidity. Beckenbauer told ZDF television that Benin's Coffi Codjia's yellow cards in the match between Ecuador and Costa Rica "were stupid." However, Codjia handed out five bookings -- about average for a game so far. Beckenbauer said bookings for time wasting were stupid. "As a referee in that situation, I have to go over to the player and let him know that next time he will receive a yellow card," Beckenbauer said.
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