BERLIN, Jan 10: Franz Beckenbauer criticised a respected German consumer products group for saying there were serious deficiences at World Cup stadiums and said in an interview published on Tuesday they should stick to face creams.

“I’m really sick and tired of the army of know-it-alls trying to lift their profile at the expense of the World Cup,” the organising committee president said after Stiftung Warentest reported there could be problems if fire or panic broke out.

“The Stiftung Warentest knows what it’s doing when comes to facial cremes, olive oil and vacuum cleaners,” Beckenbauer said referring to the agency that warns consumers about product safety.

“But they should stick with that,” Beckenbauer added.

“They’re spouting off about our stadiums being unsafe if panic breaks out but without naming any concrete facts. The construction of the stadiums was done under the strict controls of authorities. They just want to promote themselves by saying ‘Look, we’re important!’”

Beckenbauer added he feared the group hurt Germany’s image.

“All the nonsense fits the mood of the country. We never would have won the right to host the World Cup if all these moaners and groaners had been around in 2000 when Germany won.

“Sometimes you ask yourself: Why are we bothering with this? But the World Cup will nevertheless be a great festival.”

The consumer protection group said on Friday some of the German stadiums have serious deficiencies if crowd panic or fire were to break out. It will release details on Tuesday.—Reuters