FIFA ethics prosecutors ask for two-year ban

GENEVA (AP) -- FIFA ethics prosecutors have asked for a two-year ban for FIFA Council member Wolfgang Niersbach in an investigation of Germany's 2006 World Cup bid, a probe that threatens to end Franz Beckenbauer's career in soccer.

The judging chamber of the FIFA ethics committee said Friday it has received the final investigation file and opened formal proceedings against Niersbach.

"The investigatory chamber recommends a sanction of a two-year ban from all football-related activity and a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($30,300)," the judging chamber said.

An investigation was opened in March against six German officials including Niersbach, who was elected to the FIFA and UEFA executive committees last year.

Niersbach is being investigated for "possible failure to report" unethical conduct by others and conflicts of interest.

Beckenbauer, one of Germany's greatest players, and three other World Cup officials are being investigated by the FIFA ethics committee over irregular seven-figure payments and contracts during the bidding process and later organization of the World Cup.

No details of the other five ongoing ethics cases were given Friday.

Niersbach resigned as president of the German soccer federation last year but retained his elected FIFA and UEFA positions.

On Wednesday, Niersbach attended a UEFA executive committee meeting in Basel, Switzerland, to set a date for the presidential election to replace Michel Platini, who is serving a four-year ban.

Niersbach was seen last year as a potential UEFA president until the World Cup allegations flared again.

Swiss prosecutors are investigating the 2006 World Cup allegations as part of a wider probe of FIFA's business practices.