England beat the Germans again

England won another victory over the Germans when FIFA confirmed the final World Cup qualifiers would kick off at 3pm ? the time preferred by the English Football Association.

FIFA have confirmed a 3pm kick-off time for England?s match against Greece next month at Old Trafford. The Football Association had lobbied for an afternoon game on 6 October saying that it would help travelling arrangements for supporters and improve security.

However, the German FA asked for an evening kickoff for their qualifier against Finland on the same day, with television companies believing they would gain higher ratings for a prime-time slot.

Under FIFA rules to ensure fair play, both final group games must start at the same time, with England ? who enjoyed a 5-1 win against Germany ? needing to beat Greece to secure their finals place.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: ?Our view is that 3pm is the usual match-day kick-off on a Saturday. It allows fans from all parts of the country enough time to get to the match and then to get home again afterwards.

?From a security point of view, it is also better to kick off earlier rather than later in the day.?

A FIFA spokesman added: ?We considered that safety must be the over-riding factor. We have therefore informed all four countries involved in the final games in Group Nine that the kickoff time will be at 3pm British time.?

German FA spokesman Harald Stenger said: ?It?s up to FIFA. We have heard about the decision and we accept it.?