Germany coach Loew skips prematch news conference

Jun 26, 2010 - 5:47 PM BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa(AP) -- Germany coach Joachim Loew skipped a news conference on the eve of his team's second-round match with England.

Loew's team trained at a university Saturday because FIFA did not allow either team to practice at the Free State Stadium to preserve the pitch.

Germany's goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke was the only one to show up with team officials. FIFA rules call for the head coach and a player to be present.

German team officials dismissed suggestions Loew's absence was a protest at not being able to train at the stadium.

FIFA said Germany was "aware of the rules," and referred all questions to the German team.

Team spokesman Harald Stenger said that because the training was not at the stadium, Loew did not have time to come to the news conference punctually. That's why the team decided to bring Koepke, "who has just come from the shower."

Koepke said it would have been good to work out at the stadium but that England was in the same situation.

"This is no protest, it just wasn't possible timewise because we have to be fully prepared for tomorrow's game," Koepke said.

Germany was also unable to train at the stadium for its group game in Port Elizabeth, where it lost to Serbia.