The awarding of the 2006 FIFA World Cup to Germany is to be investigated after formal proceedings were opened today against a number of officials.

Following an examination of the Freshfields report commissioned by the German Football Association (DFB), the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee has decided to open formal proceedings against a number of individuals involved in the process including Franz Beckenbauer, the former Vice-President of the DFB and President of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

The 380 page report published on 4^th March by Freshfields followed a four-month investigation which found Germany legend, Franz Beckenbauer had made a 10 million Swiss francs (£7.1m) payment which subsequently ended up in an account controlled by former FIFA exco-member, Mohamed bin Hammam.

Other officials to be investigated include:

• Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the DFB, vice-president of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) and current member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committees
• Helmut Sandrock, former secretary general of the DFB and tournament director of the LOC
• Theo Zwanziger, former president of the DFB, vice-president of the LOC and former member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committees
• Horst R. Schmidt, former secretary general of the DFB and vice-president of the LOC
• Stefan Hans, former chief financial officer of the DFB and chief financial officer of the LOC

The Chairman of the investigatory chamber, Dr Cornel Borbély, will lead the investigation proceedings as the chief of the investigation.

In the cases of Messrs Niersbach and Sandrock, the investigatory chamber will investigate a possible failure to report a breach of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which could constitute a breach of art. 13 (General rules of conduct), art. 15 (Loyalty), art. 18 (Duty of disclosure, cooperating and reporting) and art. 19 (Conflicts of interest) of the FCE.

In the cases of Mr Beckenbauer, Dr Zwanziger, Mr Schmidt and Mr Hans, the investigatory chamber will investigate possible undue payments and contracts to gain an advantage in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ host selection and the associated funding, which could constitute a breach of arts 13, 15, 18 and 19 as well as art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) and art. 21 (Bribery and corruption) of the FIFA Code of Ethics.