FIFA to finance lavish 2006 World Cup party

BERLIN: Football’s world governing body FIFA will finance an extravagant, 22-million-euro, pre-World Cup party in Berlin in 2006, it was confirmed on Thursday. The World Cup kicks off on June 9 at Munich’s new Allianz Arena but a lavish ceremony, directed by Austrian Andre Heller, will take place on June 8 in the German capital.

“On behalf of the organising committee I can only welcome the fact that we will have a big highlight before the first game kicks off,” enthused Franz Beckenbauer, head of the 2006 World Cup organising committe. “I can imagine that FIFA will make an event such as this the norm at all future World Cups.” FIFA president Sepp Blatter also lauded the introduction of the party which has come about following discussions with interior minister Otto Schily and 1974 World Cup winner Beckenbauer. afp

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