Beckenbauer lashes FIFA as Germans unveil golden ball for World Cup final

FRANZ Beckenbauer lashed out at FIFA yesterday for its criticism of World Cup organisers and said Germany was ready to host the month-long tournament.

"The FIFA has words of criticism for the organising committee over and over again," said Beckenbauer, the president of the organising committee. "They're completely superfluous."

Asked what criticism he was referring to, Beckenbauer added: "It's the ticketing or whatever else." Beckenbauer was then pulled away from journalists by a press spokesman.

Beckenbauer said all Germany's venues were ready for the World Cup, which starts on June 9. "As far as we're concerned, the World Cup could start even tomorrow," Beckenbauer said. "Then all the secondary issues will disappear and we can focus on the main issue soccer."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter attacked German organisers last month for confusing ticket sales. He said FIFA should have kept control of ticket management and will take it back for 2010. Only the person named on each ticket will be allowed access to the stadiums and organisers have warned spot checks on identity will be carried out as fans make their way to matches.

Meanwhile a golden ball will be used at the World Cup final on July 9, according to Beckenbauer.

"It only surprises me that no one thought of it before," Beckenbauer said at a bizarre ceremony at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, where he removed a golden wrap off the 2.2-metre diameter ball with help from gold-painted Greek warriors.

"The final is such a special occasion for the players, the coaches and the fans around the world.

"Creating a special ball for this match, the most important match every four years, was a great idea."

Adidas chairman Herbert Hainer said the golden ball would be identical to those used throughout the month-long tournament in Germany except six of the 14 panels would be coloured gold.

"We would definitely like to see this as the start of a new tradition for the final match," he said. "We'll do this again, but try to come up with something special for each final."

The sets of 15 balls for each match at the tournament, which runs from June 9 to July 9, will for the first time carry the names of the teams, venue, date and kickoff time.

They will all be made in Thailand, with the exception of the 15 balls for the final, which will be produced in Germany.

Hainer denied a newspaper report the World Cup winners would be entitled to play with gold balls for the next four years.

All 32 sides in the finals will receive 20 balls for training purposes.