World Cup - Lucky students

• Lucky students

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

Brazil players are keeping their distance from the team's fans during their World Cup preparations in South Africa, although a few local students managed to catch a glimpse of the squad

Brazil is hoping to avoid a repeat of the atmosphere that players blamed for the team's elimination four years ago in Germany, and only journalists are allowed access to the team in South Africa. But in the team's first full practice session in South Africa yesterday, a few dozen students and school employees were able to get near the field after sneaking into a local school where the team is training.

Teacher Xander Vandyk said it was a "privilege" to have the five-time world champions playing at the school.

• No evidence

ZURICH (AP):

A FIFA ethics investigation has dismissed claims from England's former FA chairman that Spain and Russia were colluding to bribe referees at the World Cup.

FIFA said yesterday that it "found no indication that there is any basis to the allegations reported".

FIFA said its ethics panel chairman Claudio Sulser had decided not to pursue the matter further.

• Thieves cash in

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

Police say two hotel workers stole money from members of Colombia's football team, which is in South Africa for a friendly against the World Cup hosts.

Police spokesman Eugene Opperman said yesterday the Colombian players' hotel rooms were cleaned while they were training on Tuesday, and when they returned they discovered cash was missing.

Media reports say that around US$2,800 was taken from suitcases in the rooms but police would not confirm that.

Opperman said two employees appeared in court Thursday on theft charges. A third, who had also been arrested, was later released after being cleared of involvement.

"Everything has been sorted out and the issue was well managed," Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina told Associated Press Television. "The important thing is that everything has been sorted out."

Ospina said he did not know how much money had been stolen.

The incident occurred at the five-star Southern Sun hotel in the plush northern Johannesburg suburb of Hyde Park.