| Date: 15/07/2012 Time: 10:25:00 PM |
The German Football League (DFB) and Former
President of the organizing committee of the World Cup 2006, Franz
Beckenbauer, expressed extreme shock Sunday at statements made by FIFA
president Sepp Blatter, particularly claiming that "World Cup 2006 was
possibly awarded to Germany because of corruption."
Such accusations came after DFB Chairman Wolfgang Niersbach called on
Blatter to step down after bribery scandal of high ranking FIFA officials,
among them Blatter's predecessor Brazilian Joao Havelange, accused of
pocketing at least 1.5 million Swiss francs.
In press interview to Switzerland newspaper (Sonntags Blick), Blatter
suggested that there may have been something underhand in the decision to
award the 2006 World Cup to Germany.
Blatter, in defense of his own presidency added that "Havelange must be
stripped of his honorary president title at FIFA."
Court documents released in Switzerland revealed that Brazilian Havelange,
96, who was FIFA president for 24 years, before Blatter stepped into the hot
seat in 1998, pocketed at least 1.5 million Swiss francs (EURO 1.25 million)
while FIFA executive committee member Ricardo Teixeira at least 12.74 million
(EURO 10.6 million).
The bribes, made by International Sport and Leisure (ISL), were detailed in
documents made public by Switzerland's Supreme Court and published by the BBC
last Wednesday.
"I remember the award of the World Cup for 2006 when, at the last minute,
someone left the room, and so instead of the voting being split 10-10 it was
10-9 in favour of Germany," Blatter said.
"I'm glad I didn't have to make a casting vote but, well, that person
suddenly got up and left. Maybe I was too good natured and naive," Blatter
added.
Asked if there was a suspicion that the 2006 World Cup was bought, he added
"No, I'm not suggesting anything. It's just something that I noticed."
However, through German local media Beckenbauer responded to Blatter
accusations by saying that he could not understand such accusations. |