German prosecutors are probing whether local politicians have accepted free
World Cup tickets from events sponsors and other bodies.
Prosecutors in Karlsruhe said Monday that an investigation has been under way
in the southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg against certain politicians
and the head of one sponsor.
Under German anti-bribery law, World Cup sponsors, the organizing committee
and companies that have bought hospitality tickets, are not allowed to give
tickets to functionaries.
Wolfgang Niersbach, an OC vice-president, described the investigation as
grotesque and ridiculous, saying that holding a World Cup is impossible without
politicians and that the German football federation has for years invited
elected representatives to matches.