MEANIES are being nominated thick and fast in the run up to Friday's big match.As the nation gears up for the Brazilian battle, thriving on football fever, the Evening Star has found some killjoys are not playing the game.

MEANIES are being nominated thick and fast in the run up to Friday's big match.

As the nation gears up for the Brazilian battle, thriving on football fever, the Evening Star has found some killjoys are not playing the game.

Even Tony Blair has rescheduled his meetings so he can watch the 7.30am match, and a leading trade union today urged companies to give their workers time off on Friday or risk "penalty pandemonium".

But despite that, there are still some Suffolk firms, schools and offices who haven't suspended work temporarily and provided televisions.

At IS&G steelworks at Claydon Industrial Park, the manager, who asked not to be named, said a claim workers would not be able to watch the match not true.

He said: "Everybody has been given the option to come in at the normal time of 7.30am, and they will be paid three hours overtime for a normal day at work.

"Others can choose to watch the match at home. We can't get a good television picture here."

Atco Qualcast in Stowmarket, and Gorseland Primary School at Martlesham were all nominated by Star readers, but were unavailable for comment today. At Westbourne High School, headteacher Chris Edwards said pupils would be able to start at 10am, as they did on the day of the Nigeria match, giving them the chance to watch the game before going to school.

Kesgrave High School in Ipswich was also nominated as a meanie, but the caller later phoned back to say the school had changed its mind.

A spokeswoman for Kesgrave High said today: "The headteacher Mr Thomas doesn't really like to talk about it.

"It's a matter between us and the pupils. A letter is going home with pupils tonight and something has been organised."

The GMB union said it was concerned that if the game goes to extra time or penalties there could be a problem of offices and factories being empty for much of Friday morning.

A wave of disciplinary hearings could spring up if firms have not followed the advice of the Government and been flexible in allowing staff to watch the action, the union warned.

But many Suffolk places are putting on special events so people can watch the match.

Kingsfleet Primary School in Felixstowe will again be letting pupils watch the whole match at the school. Staff expect pupils to arrive from 7.15am or turn up at 8.15am for the second half.

Bridget Danby, from the school, said: "We have got a long day on Friday because we have the school fete until eight o' clock in the evening."

Among the pubs in Felixstowe, which will open early for the match, are The Falcon and The Owl and the Pussy Cat.

The Falcon, on the High Street, will be selling bacon rolls and beer from 7am while the Owl and the Pussy Cat, Grange Farm Avenue, will be open from 6.30am serving breakfasts in front of four televisions and a giant wall screen.

Sclumberger Electrical is letting staff stay at home to watch the match and come in later.

Mel Moss, human resources manager for the company said: "They will come in between 9.30am and 10am and can make the hours up at the end of the day."