http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=265948&cc=5901 BERLIN, May 2 (Reuters) - Franz Beckenbauer has threatened to step down as president of Germany's 2006 World Cup organising committee over arguments with FIFA in the build-up to the event. -------------------- jeez its always something with these bayern people!
http://www.soccer365.com/EUROPEAN_NEWS/Rest_of_Europe/page_109_51276.shtml Beckenbauer wants to limit foreigns players, including EU players, to 5 slots.
Beckenbauer's threat to retire as chairman of the WC 2006 committee is linked with FIFA thinking about having 36 teams in this tournament. Many joined him not in the way to retire as well, but with the FIFA criticism about this idea. The whole WC organising committee rejects the CONMEBOL suggestion. Beckenbauer's retiring threat no.2 is to leave FC Bayern. He said that the club doesn't need him anymore. Background is trouble with Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who criticised him in the public for the Italy threat. Elections are late this year and until then Beckenbauer wants to make up his mind about continuing to work for Bayern. Beckenbauer about a foreigner limit: limiting to 5 also EU citizens will be a problem as in the sense of the EU every German is an EU citizen as well... This is an antique thought and clearly rejected by the EU that doesn't allow any difference between EU citizens (this would be the same if e.g. Texas set up a rule that a maximum of 5 players from other US states are allowed to play there). Also the background of this idea is typical: Bayern bought the top Germans in the last years and now can claim this; the other ones would have to collect the crappy Germans from D2 and D3 to have enough players and surely the distance to the top teams would be more giant than it already is now. And his example that many are dressing 11 foreigners is not right - this was Energie Cottbus in one game, it never happened again afterwards.