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German FA backs Wolfgang Niersbach over alleged slush fund

Wolfgang Niersbach - says Sepp Blatter should go sooner rather than later
Image: Wolfgang Niersbach is alleged to have known about a slush fund, set up in order to buy votes for the 2006 World Cup.

The German FA has backed its president, Wolfgang Niersbach, over allegations of corruption during the bidding process for the 2006 World Cup.

Reports in the German media allege that a slush fund was created in order to buy votes for the hosting rights. Niersbach is accused of knowing about the alleged fund.

The 65 year-old denies the allegations although the German FA, or DFB, have now launched an internal investigation.

However, the DFB's vice-president, Peter Freymuth, has now given Niersbach his full support.

"There was and there is no call for him to resign," Freymuth said.

"Nobody at the DFB is looking for a successor to him either.

"It certainly isn't a good time for the association, but we as a team are insisting on this being cleared up transparently, and Wolfgang Niersbach, as president, is part of that.

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"We want to and will continue with him. Clearly there are others who are not so interested in this being cleared up and are only intent on causing disturbances.

Franz Beckenbauer
Image: Franz Beckenbauer chaired the committee which secured the hosting rights for the World Cup

"Yes, some people on the board are disappointed, but there has never been a discussion among this group of potential successors."

Freymuth also urged Franz Beckenbauer and Gunter Netzer to contribute to the investigation. Both former Germany players were part of the committee which organized the DFB's World Cup bid.

"In the interests of football, there has got to be a quick but also thorough investigation," said Freymuth.  

"That also means that Beckenbauer and Netzer have got to contribute. It's all about faith in football."

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