Finalists unable to train on Olympiastadion pitch

BERLIN, July 7 (Reuters) World Cup finalists France and Italy cannot train at the Olympiastadion before Sunday's final because of the condition of the pitch, FIFA today said.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren confirmed that FIFA had taken the decision ''because of the state of the pitch and because of the heavy rainfall in Berlin over the last couple of days''.

Although the pitch appears to have stood up well to staging five World Cup games in the past month, FIFA are keen to ensure it is in the best possible condition for Sunday's showpiece.

Neither France nor Italy have played in the stadium during their runs to the final and both teams will continue to train at their base camps, with France at Hamelin and Italy in Duisburg.

REUTERS SY PM2244