By David Owen in Johannesburg
June 14 – Franz Beckenbauer (pictured), the FIFA Executive Committee member and former German captain, has entered the growing debate over vuvuzelas at the 2010 World Cup.
The former sweeper, whose imperious style of play earned him the nickname “the Kaiser”, has told insideworldfootball that the ubiquitous wind instruments do not bother him - at least when played in the confines of the Calabash and other World Cup football stadiums.
Speaking exclusively to insideworldfootball, Beckenbauer said: “When I am at the stadium, I am concentrating on the game.
“Vuvuzelas, whatever, I am not listening.
“It doesn’t disturb me.”
However, he went on: “You know what disturbed me?
“This week, for three days in a row, there was one person blowing the vuvuzela outside in the street at 5.30 in the morning.
“Every day.”
Beckenbauer also expressed satisfaction with the form of the German team, who on Sunday night opened their World Cup campaign with a thumping 4-0 victory over Australia.
“The team is playing like a team,” he said.
“Of course we are missing [Michael] Ballack.
“Ballack was the leader, the head of the game.
“He was respected by our own players; he was respected by the opposition.”
In his absence through injury, though, “Everyone is putting in five or maybe 10 percent more,”Beckenbauer said.
“They are playing really like a team.”
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