The German government yesterday defended its decision not to grant visas to youth soccer teams from Ghana and Nigeria that qualified for an upcoming street tournament on the sidelines of the World Cup.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger noted that applications for four other African nations were granted, but visas for Nigeria and Ghana were declined.

He did not elaborate as to why, saying only that the situation was "unfortunate."

"We have German and European rules that clearly describe when a visa can be granted," Jaeger said Wednesday.

"We thoroughly checked these visa applications and after a very long and thorough examination we decided not to grant these visas."

Berlin deputy mayor Harald Wolf called on the German government to change its mind, noting that both teams were from youth programs supported by the German government, the United Nations and FIFA.

Youth teams from 20 nations are participating in the streetfootballworld championship tournament, to be played on a roped-off section of Berlin in the two final weeks of the World Cup.

The program is aimed at boys and girls in poverty stricken and violent areas of the world.