Japanese Bex appeal

Fans show their adoration for Beckham in Kobe

BBC Sport Online takes a look at the quirky stories doing the rounds in the build-up to the World Cup.

Beckham fever

It is difficult to tell just who wants David Beckham to take part in this World Cup more - England fans or their Japanese hosts.

The atmosphere inside the Kobe Universiade Stadium reached fever pitch when David Beckham trotted out to take part in a pre-match workout ahead of the Cameroon game.

Despite the England captain not setting foot on the turf his army of Japanese fans cheered wildly as he was seen kicking a ball with his injured left foot.

Beckham is a legend in Japan.

Many Japanese football fans wear replica David Beckham football shirts in both England and Manchester United colours.

Before the match police struggled to hold back an army of almost 600 Japanese fans, who had turned up at the airport to greet their hero.

The throng - mainly young women - almost broke through police lines as the England team stepped on to their coach.

Mrs Beckham will not be amused.

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Nigerian power

As the Japanese police prepare for an invasion of England fans - as do Trafalgar Square's pigeons - Nigerian authorities have already had to quell a riot.

Blatter is keeping himself involved

Fans of England's Group F rivals went on the rampage when a power failure meant many of them missed Nigeria's warm-up match against Yokohama Marinos.

But electricity suppliers have found the perfect solution to the impending problem of a power failure during the World Cup proper - take the blame first.

In a full page advert in a national newspaper claiming reponsibility it added: "If you go on an orgy of destruction simply because there is a power cut then you will not be helping matters."

That should stop them.

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Shirt of God snub

Even when he is not playing in a world cup Maradona can still court controversy.

Maradona is still handling footballs

The pint-sized legend has sparked another contretemps between Fifa secretary general Michael Zen-Ruffinen and president Sepp Blatter.

Zen-Ruffinen had agreed to allow Argentina to retire their number 10 shirt in honour of their greatest ever player.

But Blatter was having none of it and immediately withdrew the offer.

"Perhaps we will be a little more flexible in the future," Blatter trumpeted presciently.

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England beaten

Argentina have already beaten England - at table football.

Rob Atha in the Table Football World Cup

England's great hopes for the table football World Cup in central London were dashed by their great rivals.

Rob Atha and Dave Perrott were pre-tournament favourites, but failed to live up to expectations.

Rob, known as the Wonderkid, said: "We simply missed our chances. Let's hope this does not prove to be an omen for the real World Cup."

Let's hope so, too, as France beat Mexico in the final.