South Africa, Widespread shock follows announcement
Germany has won the right to host the Soccer World Cup in 2006, but the win has been over-shadowed tonight by dramatic claims that bribes were offered during the voting process. South Africa had been favourite, but its bid was beaten by a single vote.
The South African President, Thabo Mbeki, has described the decision to award the 2006 World Cup to Germany as a setback for Africa. There has been widespread shock in South Africa following the announcement. The leader of the South African bid, Danny Jordaan, attacked FIFA in a reference to awarding the tournament to Europe. Mr Jordaan said the world football body was always talking about family, but you cannot have a family and feed just one child.
The announcement was made in Zurich this lunchtime by the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter. He said that Germany beat South Africa by a single vote, 12 to 11. There was one abstention. Brazil, England and Morocco were earlier eliminated.
