FIFA cancel world cup?

FIFA cancel World Cup opening gala

The World Cup opening gala in Berlin has been cancelled, just five months before the tournament.

FIFA cancel World Cup opening gala

Friday, January 13, 2006 Posted: 1810 GMT (0210 HKT)

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Blatter insists the gala is off on strictly sporting grounds

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- The World Cup opening gala in Berlin has been cancelled, just five months before the tournament.

FIFA say it is because staging the event could damage the playing surface at the Olympic Stadium.

However, Berliner Zeitung will report on Saturday that the first-ever opening gala has been called off, after four years of planning and preparations, because of rising costs and sluggish ticket sales.

Berliner Zeitung claims the costs kept rising above the 25 million euro ($30.08 million) budget.

But in a statement, FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted the gala had been canceled on strictly sporting grounds.

The gala was scheduled to be held on June 7, with the first match at the stadium to be played on June 13 when world champions Brazil face Croatia.

"Personally, I still think the idea of holding such a high-profile opening event is a good one," said Blatter.

"FIFA has not taken the decision to cancel the event at such a late stage lightly, but as world football's governing body, we must put sporting considerations first.

"I would like to thank artistic director Andre Heller and everyone involved for their commitment and their understanding of this decision. "

The statement expressed concerns about whether a new pitch to replace the grass trampled in the opening ceremony would be in satisfactory condition to play group matches just six days later.