Media not FIFA's enemy - M&G editor

"While the broadcasting rights are a sensitive area for FIFA, we have to understand that many of these FIFA conditions are too restrictive. We have a robust media environment which we are proud of, and sometimes people need to keep their calm and avoid treating journalists like enemies," he said.

"It is a very unfortunate incident and I think she was misunderstood, but I am just glad that they have made an effort personally to make peace with her. In the end, it is just a learning experience for all of us."

Holmes' tweets

Asked if she holds any grudge against FIFA for treating her "like a criminal", Holmes replied: "No. I don't bear any grudge against anybody. They have spoken to me, apologised and promised to give me back my accreditation."

'Yellow-carded'

Meanwhile, City Press reported yesterday that two of its journalists were 'yellow-carded' by FIFA despite an agreement that media houses could make representations before a journalist's accreditation is revoked.

The newspaper said Qhakaza Mbali Mthembu unintentionally filmed a few minutes of the world cup opening ceremony last week from a media tribune. And fellow journalist Grace Moaisi was in the process of viewing the footage when she was vehemently reprimanded by a FIFA official, who confiscated the footage, and said they will be removed from the venue and their accreditations tags then be taken away from them.

At the time of going to print yesterday, FIFA agreed to reinstate their accreditation, the newspaper said.

"Even people in the audience were filming on their cellphones," a disappointed Mthembu was quoted as saying.

FIFA officials have often been accused of being arrogant and acting like a bunch of bullies and dictators. It has now been established that some of FIFA officials act like spies, as they work undercover, hoping to catch those who violate the terms of their accreditations.

Three suspects convicted

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that the three suspects who robbed three foreign journalists - two Portuguese and one Spanish - last week at their lodge room in Magaliesburg have been sentenced by the Protea Regional Court in Soweto. Two of the suspects, one Nigerian (Obunna Ndzubuisi) and one Zimbabwean (Bright Madzudzu), have been convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances and jailed for 15 years each, Advocate Menzi Simelane, national director of public prosecutions said in a statement.

The third, George Magubane, also from Zimbabwe, will serve an effective four years for receiving stolen property.

The stolen items' estimated value, which include cameras, laptops, clothes, passport and cash, is R388 000. Police have recovered some of the items.