FIFA cancels opening gala for 2006 World Cup

FIFA has canceled the opening gala for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany because of potential problems getting the field at Berlin's Olympic Stadium ready for its first game.

&to=http://english.pravda.ru/sport/2002/06/04/29648.html' target=_blank>FIFA had previously changed the dates of the opening gala and first match to allow more time to get the field ready, but has now decided there is too great a risk that the work won't be complete.

"It has since become clear that there would be considerable risks involved, not only in dismantling the stages and the event's technical installations in time, but also in laying a new pitch, which has to be in perfect playing condition by 12 June," the governing body said in a statement.

Some alleged the field was not the problem, but the spiraling costs of the USЂ25 million ($30.1 million) production.