Already, with 50 matches completed and 14 still to come, 19 red cards have been shown -- two more than in the whole of the 2002 World Cup. The all-time record of 22 reds shown in France in 1998 is likely to be broken some time this week.

Referee Valentin Ivanov of Russia shows a red card to Netherlands' Giovanni van Bronckhorst (L) after van Bronckhorst picked up his second yellow card during the second round World Cup 2006 soccer match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Nuremberg June 25, 2006.[Reuters]

A rise in the number of red cards would appear to indicate that matches were dirtier and more players were being punished for more cynical or more unsporting play than ever before.

However, FIFA takes an opposite point of view.

The world governing body thought because referees are showing more red cards, players are far more aware of the line they cannot cross. Therefore, as many players as possible are playing within the rules and the matches are in fact cleaner.

As FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler pointed out: "No new laws are being implemented, but the letter of the law is usually being applied and in most cases the players are responding by playing within the laws of the game.

"The players and coaches were warned at the beginning what would and would not be tolerated. Because the referees are being more consistent, the matches are more sporting and open -- that is definitely the case."

It is true that most games have been played in a better sporting spirit with opposing players lending a helping hand after a tumble, stopping play immediately for merited injuries and even smiling at each other rather than snarling.

That is also partly because so many club mates are facing each other here. At the start of the tournament exactly 50 past or present Champions League winners were sprinkled among the 32 squads.

RIGHTLY PUNISHED

But not everyone is happy with FIFA's approach and some feel that the game's basic, legal, physicality is under threat.

Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn said after his side picked up five yellow cards against France: "I still have no idea what some of those cards were for."

Captain Johann Vogel added: "We might as well take up basketball if they are going to blow for every slight contact."

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