German football legend Franz Beckenbauer admitted making a "mistake" in the bidding process to host the 2006 World Cup but on Monday denied that votes were bought.

Beckenbauer was the head, not only of the World Cup organising committee but also Germany's bid. Ten days ago, German magazine Der Spiegel accused the German bid team of buying votes.

The 70-year-old said the bid committee accepted a proposition that "should have been rejected" and said he took "full responsibility for this mistake", although he added in a written statement that "no voters were bought".

Source: AFP