Berlin: Franz Beckenbauer, head of Germany 2006, said on Friday that World Cup referees are handing out too many yellow cards and accused an African official of stupidity.
Beckenbauer told ZDF television that Benin's Coffi Codjia's yellow cards in the match between Ecuador and Costa Rica "were stupid."
However, Codjia handed out five bookings - about average for the competition so far.
Beckenbauer said bookings for time wasting were stupid.
"As a referee in that situation, I have to go over to the player and let him know that next time he will receive a yellow card," Beckenbauer said.
"If the players are booked again, they will miss a match, and that is out of proportion."
FIFA has ordered referees at the World Cup to clamp down on time wasting by immediately booking offenders. Players were told about the harsher line in pre-tournament briefings.
Beckenbauer is not thought to be interested in taking over from Sepp Blatter as head of FIFA but could stand as head of European soccer's governing body UEFA when Lennart Johansson retires.
The former Germany captain's stock has risen sharply because of the smooth organisation of the World Cup in Germany.
Referees handed out 102 yellow cards and five red cards in the first 21 matches of the competition, an average of 4.9 yellow cards per match. An average of 4.25 yellows per match handed out at the 2002 World Cup with 272 yellows and 17 reds in 64 matches.
The number of cards shown has risen steadily over the years. In Spain in 1982, 98 yellow cards were shown.
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