Referees swear they'll learn to speak English

World Cup referees are learning a lexicon of advanced English swearwords in order to better understand any foul-mouthed outbursts from Fabio Capello's team.

Carlos Simon, the Brazilian refereeing England's opening match against the USA on Saturday, and his two assistants have been cramming a list of 20 obscenities.

He said: "We have to learn what kind of words the players say.

"All players swear and we know we will hear a few 'son of a...'".

Mr Simon refereed the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals but is considered a "loose cannon" in his home country with a reputation for "bizarre" decisions.

The 44-year-old journalist and his two assistants, also Brazilian, have been studying at a training centre for referees in Pretoria, where Mr Simon said: "We can't do this in 11 different languages, but at least we have to know the swearwords."

Their forward planning could impact on striker Wayne Rooney, who habitually unleashes abuse at referees and linesmen.

Rooney, 24, has already been warned about his language after South African referee Jeff Selogilwe claimed the striker insulted him during England's final warm-up match against the Platinum Stars on Monday.

Rooney was shown a yellow card and after the match Selogilwe warned he could face a harsher sanction during the finals.