Top News

Referees learning English swear words

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-10 17:02

RUSTENBURG, South Africa - The Brazilian referee and assistants taking charge of the England-United States World Cup match have been learning English-language obscenities the players might use.

Related readings:  Inmates team up for World Cup behind bars  Zuma dedicates 1st world cup in Africa to Mandela  Soccer fans get World Cup fever  World Cup horn may damage hearing

Carlos Simon will referee Saturday's match in Rustenburg, assisted by Roberto Braatz and Altemir Hausmann, and wants to ensure players can't get away with abuse.

Hausmann told Brazilian broadcaster Globo Sport that "we have to learn what kind of words the players say. All players swear and we know we will hear a few."

Braatz says they aren't learning them in "11 different languages but at least we have to know the swear words in English."

Wayne Rooney was booked during England's warm-up match against South African side Platinum Stars on Monday for swearing at the referee.