World Cup poses pitch problem for Germany's amateur clubs

BERLIN, Apr 12 (Reuters) Several German amateur soccer teams may have to leave their grounds a month before the end of the season to allow new turf to be laid for the World Cup starting on June 9.

Twenty six of the 32 World Cup finalists picked hotels in Germany near training grounds that are now being used by amateur teams in regional leagues whose season run into late May.

''The (World Cup) teams obviously want to have pitches that are in perfect condition,'' said Helmut Sandrock, the organising committee official responsible for training venues.

Six amateur sides may have to reschedule matches after the end of the month, when the venues are inspected, because some grounds may need to be returfed, repaired or simply preserved during May.

The English Football Association said last month that their training pitch at Buhle near Baden-Baden will be ripped up and re-laid with new turf after they found the original surface to be sub-standard.

England will ask world body FIFA to pay the costs of the improvements. The training venues have to be ready, and free of any advertising, by May 29.

Reuters PDS BST2133