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Rousseff: Brazil is clear over winning World Cup bid

Xinhua, June 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff said Monday there was "no reason" to suspect kickbacks were used to secure the country's right to stage the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Her comments come amid allegations that hosting rights for the 1998 World Cup in France and 2010 World Cup in South Africa were influenced by bribes.

Media reports also claimed that Germany sold arms to Saudi Arabia to secure its vote for the 2006 World Cup.

"There is no reason to begin any corruption probe into the decision to award the 2014 World Cup to Brazil," Rousseff told France 24.

Rousseff's comments come almost two weeks after seven FIFA officials were arrested on corruption charges as part of a US prosecution indicting 14 people.

Among those detained was former Brazilian football confederation president Jose Maria Marin.

Brazilian prosecutors have already launched their own investigation into claims of widespread graft in the local game. A congressional inquiry led by striker-turned-senator Romario is also probing the allegations.

Investigators have so far focused on accusations that Brazilian officials accepted kickbacks for a national team sponsorship deal and the Copa do Brasil marketing rights. Endi