Dismay over protest march on World Cup final day

BERLIN, May 25: An anti-soccer demonstration on July 9 could pose security problems in the German capital on the day of the World Cup final, according to a police union leader.

Konrad Freiberg said the march through the centre of Berlin on the afternoon and evening of July 9, which is expected to attract 20,000 demonstrators, could stretch police resources.

The Berlin final is an evening kickoff.

''The police are not capable of making secure such a large event during the World Cup,'' Freiberg said.

The demonstration was approved five years ago. Organiser Manfred Wuehr said it would draw attention to the needs of young people and campaign against the commercialisation of soccer.

''The authorities were asleep at the switch five years ago and did not take me seriously for years,'' Wuehr said.

He said authorities were trying hard to persuade him to accept another date, a plan he has rejected.

REUTERS