FIFA president Sepp Blatter is not concerned over the publication of a recent report suggesting that German stadiums for the 2006 World Cup to take place are not safe.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland Blatter said "We have no worries because we have identified already, a certain time ago, that three or four stadia had some problems" adding these were being corrected in time for a final FIFA inspection before the World Cup begins in June.
Fears grew in Germany Saturday of a railway strike in the middle of the football World Cup, the biggest event of this year in Germany, with two unions reportedly linking their threat to government privatization plans.
Railways are the cornerstone of cross-country public transport in Germany, carrying more people than either buses or planes.
Sepp Blatter said "FIFA hasn't taken a decision to cancel lightly but sporting considerations are crucial". Blatter went on "I would like to thank artistic director Andre Heller and everyone involved for their commitment and their understanding of this decision. Personally, I still think the idea of holding such a high-profile opening event is a good one."
The local organising committee said in a statement that every fan visiting Germany during the Word Cup 2006, to kick off on June 9, could make inquiries to the committee through the website, launched today.
150 TV channels from different countries worldwide will cover the exhibition.
In this cultural event, each country has a four hour and 20 minute opportunity to introduce itself and its tourism attractions in the exhibition.
These politicians wanting this are also requesting that the German constitution be changed to allow the use of the military for domestic security.
The orange helmets, which cost $6, have Dutch flags printed on the side and bear slogans such as "Attack!" and "Go, Netherlands Go" in Dutch.
"I'm really sick and tired of the army of know-it-alls trying to lift their profile at the expense of the World Cup," the local organising committee CEO said after Stiftung Warentest reported there could be problems if fire or panic broke out.
Stiftung Warentest, a foundation which test products, said an inspection of the 12 arenas revealed that a mass panic in a full stadium could for instance have a "devastating effect" and that there were deficits as well in the area of fire protection.
A match against Hungary is already arranged for May 30 and England have added two more fixtures prior to the tournament.
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