BERLIN, July 1: The German World Cup organisers were left red-faced on Saturday after admitting that the announcer for the Olympic Stadium here had been replaced after encouraging Germany in the quarter-final.

The German announcer had told the predominantly German crowd in the stadium in Berlin, “Ladies and Gentlemen, our team needs our support” during Germany's 4-2 win over Argentina in a penalty shootout, FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said.

Stadium announcers at World Cup matches must remain neutral according to FIFA rules.

Siegler said: “We have said he must stop this. This is part and parcel of the principle of fairness and this cannot be accepted.“The local organising committee has replaced him with immediate effect.”

A spokesman for the local organising committee, Gerd Graus, said: “He will no longer have the microphone at the stadium.

“He has been the announcer at the Olympic Stadium for years but he was very excited because it was a very special match.”

The World Cup final will take place in the Olympic Stadium on July 9.—AFP