FIFA have confirmed there is to be an internal inquiry into sleaze allegations surrounding the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany. A spokesman for soccer's world governing body claimed that the German Football Federation (DFB) and the organising committee will join in the inquiry.
"FIFA are in possession of `material’ believed to be the photocopy of a fax received by voting members of the executive committee", the spokesman said. Charlie Dempsey has already talked of feeling under intense pressure during the voting process and the Oceania football chief is set to have the heat turned up when he arrives back in New Zealand.
Dempsey, who controversially abstained in the third round of voting for the venue of the 2006 World Cup when instructed to back South Africa's cause, arrives back in New Zealand later today. The decision led to Germany triumphing 12-11 in the third round of voting with Dempsey citing very strong reasons for his decision but refused to detail what they were. “I had very strong reasons but I am not going into them”, he said.
The decision to abstain in the crucial final vote at FIFA headquarters in Zurich has not gone down well in Scottish-born Dempsey's adopted homeland. Sports Minister Trevor Mallard described Dempsey as an international embarrassment while Prime Minister Helen Clark stuck the boot in, saying she was upset by the result as she had promised New Zealand's support for the South African bid.
Mark Burgess, New Zealand's representative on the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) said Dempsey, 78, had not followed instructions given to him at the Confederation's meeting in Samoa in May. New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan was also adamant Dempsey was told to vote for England first then South Africa. Dempsey faces a meeting of the OFC in Auckland on Sunday when he will be asked to explain his apparent u-turn.(PA)
