FIFA has "withdrawn an ad that was being shown at media centers at Brazil's 12 World Cup stadiums." The ad featured former FIFA exec committee member Franz Beckenbauer, who has been banned for 90 days for failing to aid an ongoing investigation into corruption allegations. The ad, titled "10 things you didn't know about FIFA," also featured Pelé, former Portuguese footballer Luis Figo, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque and Neymar (DPA, 6/23). ... Japanese music software company Nippon Columbia Co. on Monday unveiled new business cards with the name "Nippon VS Colombia Co." to be used only two days to support Japan in its upcoming World Cup match against Colombia (KYODO, 6/23). ... English punters, "normally among the most patriotic of supporters for the national team even in miserable times, have decided this latest team of no-hopers really do have no hope, causing many to put their money on Costa Rica to beat England on Tuesday." Ladbrokes "is reporting a marked shift in support for the tiny Central American republic in England’s final group encounter on Tuesday, and now stands to make a loss if Costa Rica wins" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/23). ... A Brazilian court on Friday ordered FIFA "to introduce mandatory breaks for players in World Cup matches played in high temperatures." A labor court in the capital of Brasilia "issued a temporary injunction saying the breaks are required near the 30th minute of each half so players can get hydrated." The breaks "are now mandatory" when temperatures reach 32 degrees Celsius (89.6F) in the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index, which takes into account factors such as time of day, cloud cover, wind, humidity and location (AP, 6/20).
