The BBC reports (3 November) that the headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) have been raided by police in Frankfurt over allegations of tax evasion relating to a secret €6.7m (£4.9m) ‘slush fund’ that was set up to secure votes for Germany to host the 2006 World Cup. In addition, police officers and tax inspectors descended on the homes of DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach, ex-president Theo Zwanziger, and former secretary-general Horst Schmid.
Former German football star Franz Beckenbauer, the president of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup, has denied that votes were bought. ‘In order to receive a financial subsidy from FIFA, it was agreed to accept a recommendation from FIFA’s finance committee, which from today’s perspective, should have been rejected,’ he added.
The BBC reports (3 November) that the headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) have been raided by police in Frankfurt over allegations of tax evasion relating to a secret €6.7m (£4.9m) ‘slush fund’ that was set up to secure votes for Germany to host the 2006 World Cup. In addition, police officers and tax inspectors descended on the homes of DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach, ex-president Theo Zwanziger, and former secretary-general Horst Schmid.
Former German football star Franz Beckenbauer, the president of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup, has denied that votes were bought. ‘In order to receive a financial subsidy from FIFA, it was agreed to accept a recommendation from FIFA’s finance committee, which from today’s perspective, should have been rejected,’ he added.
