Free-to-air Kabul TV

Afghanistan's war torn capital Kabul will be able to broadcast World Cup matches free of charge on a giant television screen, world football's governing body FIFA said today.

FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said: "Prior to this, there have been no TV rights in Afghanistan." He added that the £20,000 operation will be financed entirely by FIFA. "This is a new initiative for the people of Afghanistan, who have gone through hardship in recent times, to be able to follow the games," said Cooper.

The move is in stark contrast to FIFA's position on reports that North Koreans have been watching delayed broadcasts of matches from smuggled video tapes. An investigation was launched by FIFA and international rights owners Kirch following the reports.

Elsewhere, it was the giant screens which were causing the problems as Russian fans went on a drunken rampage through Moscow following their country's 1-0 defeat against Japan yesterday.