BUT SHE DOES LIKE THE FACT HER DAUGHTER’S FIANCE ISN’T ALL HANDS

Mama mia!

The French sports daily, L’Equipe (the team) reported Thursday that Susana Werner, the fiancee of Brazilian star Ronaldo, didn’t attend the Brazil-Scotland opener Wednesday because Ronaldo’s mother didn’t want her to go. Instead, she stayed in Italy.

THE PRIME MINISTER IS WEARING SOME COOL-LOOKING WINGS

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin was at the opener and said he enjoyed the opening ceremony. “It was simple and joyous,” he said.

But he acknowledged having missed the massive ceremonies in Paris the night before. “I was busy with Air France,” he said, referring to the now-settled strike that threatened to snarl World Cup travelers’ plans.

AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, GO TO THE KITCHEN AND GET ME A BEER

Jalal Talebi, Iran’s coach, is a devout Muslim, and as such has no quarrel with women being prohibited from attending matches in his home country.

“For religious reasons, women aren’t allowed in public places where there are men,” he said. “They’ll have to watch the matches on TV.”