Franz: "We don't care."

[Toppa]

"We don't care. It's not our business."

That was Organising Committee Germany FIFA World Cup 2006 president Franz Beckenbauer's response to the ticket fiasco surrounding FIFA vice-president Jack Warner's association with Simpaul Travel Service, official World Cup ticket distributors for the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF).

The "Kaiser", as Beckenbauer is familiarly known, made his comments on Monday night following the Organising Committee's welcoming function at the Hilton Trinidad in St Ann's, during his visit to personally congratulate Trinidad and Tobago on qualifying for the World Cup and present a progress report on preparations for the tournament.

"It's not our business," the former World Cup-winning German skipper and coach reiterated. "Our business is to give the participating countries the tickets they deserve. What they are doing with the tickets, it's not our business."

T&TFF special adviser Warner, though, did not seem all too pleased with FIFA's response to what he said was his request for advice on the matter and insisted there is no controversy.

"I am in no controversy," Warner stressed. "I asked the FIFA for advice, and they give the advice I asked them for to the world. I have to deal with that in March. That is no controversy. I repeat...I asked them for advice. I asked you for advice, you didn't answer me, you answered to the world. So I'll talk to you in March. That's all."

Warner also claimed he was not worried about the issue.

"I have been associated with all kinds of memories before, and it wouldn't be the last time, it won't be the first time. I remember a judge saying his skin is as thick as an alligator's. My own is doubly thick. It hasn't fazed me in the least. And believe me, I am okay. I'll land on my feet. Right now, I'll tell you this, though, I'm not trembling in my shoes."

The CONCACAF president also slammed the Culture Ministry for their preparations, or lack of, for T&T's trip to Germany for the World Cup in June.

"Germany is ready. More than ready. And I wonder if we are. Because up to now, we haven't gotten our act together as yet," he said.

"...at least we should know who is going, who is not going, what activities we will be having and so on, when and where...the programme should be known."

And when asked who was responsible for those preparations, Warner responded: "We have a Culture Ministry, don't we?"

Beckenbauer was also of the opinion that the only disadvantage T&T's "Soca Warriors" face is the fact they are making their debut at the world's premier football tournament.

"I think Trinidad and Tobago, they have a good team. The only disadvantage I think is that they are participating (in the World Cup) for the first time. They are not used to every situation in a World Cup.

"But they are playing football, and they can be a surprise."

Warner, though, will be satisfied with victory over England in T&T's second match on June 15.

"You know Trinis. For us I think that the sky is the limit. The biggest concern to all of us is the game against England. I'll tell you this...when we beat England, we would have won the World Cup. That's enough for me."

Last week, FIFA determined Warner's involvement with Simpaul created a conflict of interest as he is also on the FIFA executive, which is a breach of the organisation's code of ethics.

Warner faces suspension from FIFA, who have reserved sanction until next month, when the executive committee will meet to discuss the matter.
 
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=137905996

[truetrini]

why dey ask dem questions tuh de kaiser?

steups,,dat is embarrasing we country....let FIFA do dey ting.

steups

[Ponnoxx]

 Jack Warner knows what he is doing...truerini you are a very ungrateful person

[Sam]

Beckenbauer: Mexico to at least WC quarters.

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Franz Beckenbauer predicts Mexico will probably advance to at least the quarterfinals at the World Cup. Beckenbauer, touring Germany-bound nations as head of the World Cup organizing committee, believes Mexico had a winnable group including Angola, Iran and Portugal.
"I would say that in their group they shouldn't find any problems," Beckenbauer said on Wednesday.
"In the quarterfinals things will get a little more difficult. But I think that they will get to the quarterfinals or even the semifinals."
History doesn't help Mexico, however. Soon to appear in its 13th Cup this summer, Mexico's best results were quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986. It finished in the second round in 2002.
Euro2004 runner-up Portugal should give Mexico the most trouble, Beckenbauer said.
"Angola is not in very good shape. As you know, they played the African Cup and lost all three games," he said. "Iran is not bad - you have to take care. But I think the best opponent in the group is Portugal."
Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player and coach, was finishing the Latin American leg of an eight-nation tour through the Americas, and was scheduled to visit New York on Thursday.

[pardners]

De 'Kaiser' right, he ain't come here to talk about tickets, he on a different agenda.
He committee leaving that for FIFA to handle...or not handle, whatever..

[FATZ]

He wouldn't say anything because ack help Germany get the cup but a real professional would tell it as it is, Warner is a true Jack and all his shit just coming to light.