FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) German prosecutors say they are examining whether there are grounds to open an investigation of allegations that German bidders used a slush fund to help secure the 2006 World Cup.
Nadja Niesen, a spokeswoman for Frankfurt prosecutors, said fraud, breach of trust or corruption were possible offenses that might be investigated, news agency dpa reported. Niesen couldn't say Monday when the examination of whether there is a case will be concluded.
German weekly Der Spiegel alleged Friday a slush fund of 10.3 million Swiss francs (about $6 million at that time) was set up to buy the votes of four Asian representatives on FIFA's executive committee.
The German football federation vehemently rejects the allegations. Bid committee chief Franz Beckenbauer says he never had money given to anyone to buy votes.
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