German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach resigns over Fifa scandal

Wolfgang Niersbach has left his role. Credit: PA

President of the German Football Association Wolfgang Niersbach has resigned from his position amid accusations of bribery.

Niersbach is the first major figure to resign over the ongoing investigation into Fifa.

The German has denied any wrongdoing, saying he has resigned to take the "political responsibility" for a £4.9 million payment to Fifa, with the fee allegedly a bribe to secure the 2006 tournament for Germany.

"I was involved in the bid for the 2006 World Cup from day one until the final documentation of the summer fairy tale was submitted," Niersbach wrote.

"In all of those years, I not only always worked with great passion, but also always cleanly, faithfully and correctly.

"In the areas of marketing, media, accreditations, and event organisation, which I worked in, I can say with a clean conscience that I have absolutely nothing to reproach myself for.

"It makes it all the more depressing and painful for me to be faced with things nine years later that I was not involved in, and which have left many questions open for me.

"I remain and would like to make it clear unmistakably once again that I had absolutely no knowledge of the background of the flow of payments that are being looked into.

"It makes it even harder for me to make the decision to draw political consequences.

"27 years at the DFB were always more than a job for me. The work in a variety of roles was something very dear to my heart.

"I love football and this association, in which I have experienced some wonderful moments and been able to work with some amazing people.

"In order to protect this DFB and the office, it is with a heavy heart that I am resigning as DFB president. At the same time, I will continue to do all I can for a comprehensive clarification of what has happened."

In a statement to reporters at the Frankfurt headquarters of the DFB, the 64-year-old said he had "realised that the time had come to take responsibility for the political events surrounding the 2006 World Cup", and added that "the position of DFB president must not be damaged".