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German politicians under investigation over free tickets
8/5/2006 9:23

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.



 Xinhua news