The Football Association are in a lather over a controversial World Cup record by a band called 'The Soccer Hoolies' currently on sale in the North East.

The disc effectively encourages England fans, thugs more like, to 'kick shit out of the French cops and sort out the Germans'.

In another line of the song, notorious Carlisle fan Micky Fleck bawls:"Gonna slash you with a Stanley." The record has provoked an angry reaction from Lancaster Gate as the countdown to the French invasion continues.

Spokesmen Steve Double said:"Our advice to decent fans is not to waste their money on this rubbish. Don't put your hard-earned cash into the pockets of these kind of people."

The makers of the record were unrepentant last night, boasting:"We don't give a toss about what happens on the pitch, as long as English hooligans are World Champions off it."

RONALDO'S WORLD CUP DREAM Brazilian ace Ronaldo has spoken of his World Cup dream and his ambition to be recognised as the best player in the world by emulating the 1994 goal-scoring feats of team-mate Romario. "When I used to play football in the street, I dreamed of being Zico and of becoming the best player in the world," he said. "A lot of people tell me that it is already the case. But I feel I am far from being as gifted as Romario, who is still the greatest for me. "He is the one who has won everything, scored all possible goals, from all positions." Ronaldo is anxious to emulate his compatriot's feats, and raise himself to the exalted status of his heroes. He added: "I have thought a lot about this World Cup, because it will determine the rest of my career in football. I want to progress and become the best footballer in the world. I am ambitious and this World Cup is my chance to join Romario and enter into the history of Brazilian football."

KELLY TO WORK ALL HOURS World Cup fever is hitting new levels. Just when we thought television stations could conjure up no more France 98 programmes, Channel 4 and the BBC prove otherwise. Firstly, our good friends on Under The Moon, who ensure the boss Danny Kelly puts in as many hours as the slaves at least once a week, have gone a step - or 12 - further to guaranteeing 365's undying devotion - by slotting in 12 programmes during the six-week event. There will be one running on the Channel 4 show, hosted by workaholic Kelly, on the night of England and Scotland games as well another during the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. Meanwhile the BBC have honoured sport's greatest tournament by naming their learning languages series 'World Cup French'. In addition they are paying England stars Graeme Le Saux and Les Ferdinand, and Scottish striker Ally McCoist to promote it.

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