Franz Beckenbauer has hit out at FIFA for its criticism of World Cup organisers and claimed Germany was ready to host the tournament.

“The FIFA has words of criticism for the organising committee over and over again,” said Beckenbauer, the president of the organising committee. “They’re completely superfluous.”

Asked what criticism he was referring to, Beckenbauer added: “It’s the ticketing or whatever else.” Beckenbauer was then pulled away from journalists by a press spokesman.

“As far as we’re concerned, the World Cup could start even tomorrow,” Beckenbauer added.

“Then all the secondary issues will disappear and we can focus on the main issue – soccer.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticised the event organisers last month for confusing ticket sales. He said FIFA should have kept control of ticket management and will take it back for 2010.

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