The Fulham keeper has become the latest to voice his concerns over the footballs to be used during South Africa 2010. Iker Casillas of Spain, Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon and England’s David James have already highlighted the unpredictability of the ball in flight but whilst outfield players will find greater difficulty in control, it will be the keepers who are affected most. The shot-stopper said “Sometimes the ball has a genuine flight and other times it has a mind of its own so it has taken time to adjust and it will take us time still now”.

Coach Pim Verbeek has started a war of words with Schwarzer’s former employers, English Championship side Middlesbrough, over the fitness of Rhys Williams. The 21 year-old was dropped from the final squad due an injury that Verbeek blames solely on the club’s treatment of the player but the Teessider’s boss Gordon Strachan has hit back in a row that threatens to rumble on.