BERLIN (Reuters) - German football association (DFB) President Wolfgang Niersbach was considered a potential dark horse for one of world soccer's top administrative posts but allegations of a slush fund to help the country win hosting rights for the 2006 World Cup have cast a shadow over his credentials.
A purportedly scandal-free background, long links with the DFB, the world's largest national football association, and limited involvement in global authority FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA singled him out in some quarters as an ideal candidate for one of soccer's leading roles.