World Cup: Swearing-in ceremony

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Ever wonder what it is that Wayne Rooney says that seems to get referees so upset? Brazilian referee Carlos Simon and his two assistants did, so they’ve been studying English-language obscenities in an effort to understand the hot-headed striker a little better.

Simon will referee Saturday’s England-U.S. match in Rustenburg, assisted by Roberto Braatz and Altemir Hausmann. And they want to ensure that players can’t get away with abuse.

‘We have to learn what kind of words the players say,’ Hausmann told Brazilian broadcaster Globo Sport. ‘All players swear, and we know we will hear a few.’

Braatz says they aren’t learning the words in ’11 different languages, but at least we have to know the swear words in English.’

Rooney received a yellow card during England’s warm-up match against South African club Platinum Stars on Monday for swearing at the referee -- which earned another kind of warning from his coach, Fabio Capello, who cautioned Rooney to try to calm his temper.

-- Kevin Baxter in Johannesburg