Franz Beckenbauer admits 'mistake' in 2006 World Cup bid
Franz Beckenbauer admits 'mistake' in 2006 World Cup bid
Germany's World Cup-winning captain and former coach Franz Beckenbauer has said he made a "mistake" in the bidding process to host the 2006 World Cup, but denied that votes were bought.
Beckenbauer was the head of the World Cup organising committee, which reports allege made a payment to Fifa in return for a financial grant.
The 70-year-old said a Fifa proposal "should have been rejected".
Germany beat South Africa in 2000 to host the tournament six years later.
Beckenbauer added that he took "responsibility for this mistake".
Der Spiegel magazine reported on 16 October that an alleged slush fund of 6.7 million euros (£4.8m) was used to buy votes for Germany - an allegation denied by the German Football Association (DFB).
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