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Black_Ned
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Beckenbauer - World Cup dream is over ..
The announcement yesterday that a deal has been struck between South Africa and Brazil for reciprocal support for the African bid for the 2006 World Cup and for the South American bid in four years' time has angered Franz Beckenbauer.
"That deal is offensive," he complained.
"It is horse-trading and means that we have probably lost the bid."
Beckenbauer had acted as ambassador for his country's bid and Germany, along with South Africa, are ahead of England and Morocco in the running to host the tournament.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela revealed on Tuesday that he was telephoning two nations to ask for their support when FIFA vote on Thursday, but he refused to name the countries.
However, South African bid chief Danny Jordaan maintained that he would campaign right up until the deadline. "South Africa's 2006 campaign is taking nothing for granted and will continue to press its case until the very last moment," he said.
The announcement yesterday that a deal has been struck between South Africa and Brazil for reciprocal support for the African bid for the 2006 World Cup and for the South American bid in four years' time has angered Franz Beckenbauer.
"That deal is offensive," he complained.
"It is horse-trading and means that we have probably lost the bid."
Beckenbauer had acted as ambassador for his country's bid and Germany, along with South Africa, are ahead of England and Morocco in the running to host the tournament.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela revealed on Tuesday that he was telephoning two nations to ask for their support when FIFA vote on Thursday, but he refused to name the countries.
However, South African bid chief Danny Jordaan maintained that he would campaign right up until the deadline. "South Africa's 2006 campaign is taking nothing for granted and will continue to press its case until the very last moment," he said.