Italy's failure to advance past the group stage "led to the immediate and 'irrevocable' resignations" of both Manager Cesare Prandelli and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giancarlo Abete. Prandelli: "When a professional project fails, it is right to take the responsibility." This was "the first time in 48 years that Italy had failed in successive World Cups to get beyond the initial round" (London GUARDIAN, 6/24). ... Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi resigned from his post. He stepped down "despite seeing his side come within a minute of qualifying for the knock-out stages" (SKY SPORTS, 6/25). ... Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni "has quit"after his side failed to reach the last 16 at the World Cup. The Italian, 61, who replaced Takeshi Okada in '10, "had said originally he would wait until he returned to Japan before considering his future" (BBC, 6/25). ... Thai police said on Wednesday that they have "arrested more than 1,000 people, including four foreigners, in a crackdown on illegal betting during the World Cup." The arrests come amid a "wider blitz on gambling by the new junta in a bid to 'uphold social order' in Thailand" (AFP, 6/25).
