German DFB chief resigns after FIFA scandal involving corruption and tax evasion

Wolfgang Niersbach (C) has stepped down as chief of DFB on Monday evening.

German Football Association chief Wolfgang Niersbach has resigned over a FIFA payment that has resulted in a tax evasion investigation, according to BBC Sport. Niersbach has stated that he is talking ‘politicallly responsibility’ for the allegations and has resigned to ‘protect the DFB and the office’.

The chief of German FA stood down on Monday evening over the 2006 World Cup scandal, where the governing body admitted to an allegation of €6.7 million payment to FIFA in the country’s rights to host the World Cup in 2006. Niersbach’s resignation will be a relief for the German football association as they try to restore their battered image.

The scandal erupted last month when German magazine Der Spiegel published allegations connected to the long-running FIFA corruption problem. The magazine alleged that the former Adidas chief executive Robert Louis-Dreyfus set up a €6.7 million slush fund to buy votes and secure the right to stage the 2006 World Cup.

According to reports, the vote was staged in 2000 with Germany securing the rights to host the tournament by a majority of 12 votes to 11 over South Africa. It was claimed that Dreyfus, who was also a former majority shareholder in Marseille football club, borrowed the money and lent it to the bidding committee.

I had no knowledge of cash flows: Niersbach

However, Niersbach has denied any wrongdoing, and he has explained his resignation in a press statement.

“I have worked for all these years at all times not only with great passion but always accurately, trustfully and correctly.” he said.

“In addition to my assigned fields of marketing, media accreditations and event organization, I can say with a clear conscience that I reproach myself for absolutely nothing. More depressing and painful it is for me to be confronted for tasks nine years later that I had no involvement in and which leave many questions open for me.

He further added: “I maintain and make it clear once again that I was standing in the background and had no knowledge of the cash flows. The decision is made all the more difficult for me due to the political consequences.

“I love football and this association in which I experienced wonderful moments and I worked with great people.”

“To protect the DFB and the office, I resign as the DFB president with a heavy heart.”

The Police had raided the German Football Association (DFB) on 3 November over allegations of tax evasion linked to the awarding of the 2006 World Cup. The homes of Niersbach and former president Theo Zwanziger were also searched as part of an operation involving 50 officers.