Football World Cup 2002: Andy Gray column - SOUR TASTE OF ITALIAN

ENGLAND fans might not agree right now but so far this has been an absolutely belting World Cup.

We've had the lot - shock results, great goals, breathtaking saves, wonderful moves, fantastic supporters and great sportmanship . . . well, from most teams anyway. Unfortunately we have also had one or two bad decisions which has led to the Italians throwing their designer rattles out of the pram.

We've heard nothing but whingeing from the Italians since they were hoofed out by South Korea. There is no excuse for whining and the decision not to renew Ahn Jung Hwan's contract at Perugia hardly helped their cause.

I actually have some sympathy for the Italians because they had at least three good goals disallowed and there is no way Totti should have been sent off against the Koreans. So they had a right to be upset - but their reaction was way over the top.

They would have been much better off if they had concentrated on their performances on the pitch rather than saving their most passionate display for whingeing when it was too late.

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