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FIFA President Sepp Blatter (left) waves to people as a World Cup organizer Danny Jordaan (right) looks on during a visit to one of the 2010 World Cup stadiums in Cape Town on Monday. |
Germany captain Michael Ballack and team business manager Oliver Bierhoff have talked - again - to resolve a personal feud dating back to the European Championship in June.
The differences between the two have been cleared up, the soccer federation said yesterday.
The dispute threatened to overshadow Germany's preparations for upcoming World Cup qualifying games against Russia and Wales.
Ballack was furious when Bierhoff invited players' wives and companions to relax at the team's hotel on the shores of Lake Maggiore and allowed players time off one day after Germany's 1-2 loss to Croatia at the European Championship.
The captain, who stayed alone, thought it was inappropriate for the players to lounge around the pool after being thoroughly outplayed by Croatia.
Germany, however, went on to reach the final and lost 0-1 to Spain. The feud blew up after the game in Vienna, when Ballack angrily brushed off Bierhoff's call to carry a banner to a part of the stands filled with German supporters. The banner was a "thank you" note to the fans, provided by a sponsor.
Ballack and Bierhoff first talked during training camp for Germany's opening World Cup qualifiers 10 days ago, but both made sarcastic remarks about each other later, prompting top football officials to urge another air-clearing session. Ballack did not play in Germany's 6-0 win over Liechtenstein and a 3-3 draw in Finland because of a foot injury.
The Chelsea midfielder and Bierhoff held another 20-minute telephone conversation on Monday evening.
Sincere cooperation
"We discussed everything in a very good talk and established the basis for continuing a professional and sincere cooperation," Ballack said in a statement distributed by the soccer federation.
Bierhoff also said it had gone well.
Germany football federation president Theo Zwanziger and coach Joachim Loew hailed the talks. "Now we can prepare with full concentration on the upcoming home games against Russia and Wales," Loew said.
Meanwhile, FIFA President Sepp Blatter claims he danced for joy after arriving in South Africa to check on preparations for the 2010 World Cup.
Glossing over concerns about delays, rising costs, rampant crime and lack of transportation, Blatter on Monday visited Cape Town's new "jewel" of a stadium, which was long beset by political wrangling and industrial action but which is now slightly ahead of schedule.
He was less flattering about the national football team, which failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, seems likely to miss out on the 2010 African Nations Cup and hasn't won any of its last five matches - including losing to lowly Guinea - since June.
Blatter said South Africa should have taken advantage of the four years since it was awarded the hosting rights in 2004 to build up a strong side.
"In 1996 they were African Champions...and where are they now? It's incredible and I cannot understand that. Do something, move it."
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily September 17, 2008)