Sports/Olympics / Off the Pitch

Brazil's technicians OKs practice in Offenbach
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-08 09:27

The Brazilian national football team's technical staff agreed on Wednesday to hold an open practice on Thursday in the Offenbach stadium, as FIFA demanded.

The staff had criticized on Tuesday the bad conditions of the pitch and indicated it could cancel the practice.

The technical staff declared that they were still not pleased with the field, but added that the practice could not be postponed or transferred, because the team has no other dates available. The major concern is with the pitch area near the goals, where the field is not properly leveled.

According to FIFA's regulations, each team playing in the World Cup must allow fans to freely attend at least one practice in the region where the team is based. On Wednesday, around 25,000 tickets for the practice in Offenbach were distributed in 72 minutes.

It was Brazil's second practice at the Altkoniblick Sports Facility in Konigstein, Germany. As Tuesday, the players exercised and participated in a tactical practice.

After the practice, star striker Ronaldinho said he was concerned with the opponent team's rough play during the World Cup matches.

"It's important that the referees are severe," said the striker, yet adding Brazil is prepared for hard games.