Beckenbauer's in a fix

Franz Beckenbauer has admitted that Germany's damaging match-fixing scandal is causing serious problems ahead of their preparations for next year's World Cup finals.

The World Cup-winner, who heads the 2006 organising committee, said the affair was stopping officials from preparing for the tournament.

He said: "The work remains undone while we do nothing but put out fire after fire. I hope it will be resolved as soon as possible and we can return to business as usual."

Berlin prosecutors say 25 people, including four referees and 14 players, are suspected of manipulating at least 10 games on the behalf of a Croatian gambling syndicate.

It was reported last night that the scandal could have affected a game involving Premiership club Middlesbrough.