Germany

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) president Charlie Dempsey has said he had permission to vary his vote at the FIFA meeting that decided Germany would host the 2006 World Cup, not South Africa.

South Africa has said it would investigate a controversial vote by soccer's world governing body FIFA which denied Africa its best chance yet to host the World Cup.

While the failed bidders in the race for the 2006 World Cup count the cost of their defeated campaigns, German economists are looking to the bright ? and profitable ? future hosting the World Cup will bring. For full details see SportBusiness.com `FEATURES?.

Claims that Germany had been involved in a bribery scam prior to yesterday?s key FIFA vote for the 2006 World Cup have been dismissed as a hoax.

A German satirical magazine has said it had sent hoax faxes to FIFA delegates this week urging them to vote for Germany as the host of the 2006 World Cup in return for a gift.

South Africa sighed with grief and hit out at European soccer powers on Thursday after losing out to rival Germany in its bid to host the 2006 World Cup.

Moroccan officials said they felt betrayed on Thursday after falling out in the first round of voting to stage the 2006 World Cup ? and then faced further humiliation when their support for South Africa failed to bring the tournament to the continent.

England World Cup 2006 bid officials have spoken of their extreme disappointment at their second round exit during today?s FIFA executive committee vote.

South African stocks slumped in line with the nation's spirits after a decision by the world soccer governing body FIFA to give the 2006 World Cup soccer tournament to Germany.

Speculation is mounting that the FIFA executive committee member who abstained from the last round of voting in today?s 2006 vote was New Zealand?s Charles Dempsey.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is pushing for the introduction of a rotation system for future World Cups ? a move which would leave Europe unable to bid for the next four tournaments

South Africa and Germany are neck-a-neck as the vital FIFA poll enters the third round of voting.

The World Cup will return to Germany after a 32-year absence but for Franz Beckenbauer the 2006 tournament will be an entirely new experience for Germany following unification.

Franz Beckenbauer, the chief of Germany?s successful 2006 World Cup bid campaign, has said he is `elated? at his country?s victory in today?s FIFA vote in Zurich.

Chief of the England 2006 World Cup has said the $15m campaign was money well spent ? despite the fact the bid now seems destined to fail.

Germany has sensationally won the right to stage the FIFA 2006 World Cup ? bringing soccer?s most valuable property back to European shores.

South Africa looked poised to win Africa the most prestigious sporting event in the continent's history on Thursday - the 2006 World Cup finals?and Sportbusiness.com will bring you the news first.

As the race for the right to stage the 2006 World Cup finals entered its final hours on Wednesday, South Africa were still regarded as favourites with Germany a potent threat to their chances.