South Africa's position strengthened

Entering the final straight of the race to host the 2006 World Cup, Germany yesterday considered pulling out but England insisted they were still in the reckoning even though South Africa had strengthened their position as favourites.

Franz Beckenbauer had harsh words in Zurich to condemn a deal between Brazil and South Africa which he said had seriously undermined Germany's chances of staging the showcase event.

"This is horse-trading directed against us," the head of the German bid said one day after Brazil withdrew, pledging that the three South American votes they would probably have secured would now be given to the South Africans in exchange for Africa's support for a Brazil bid for the 2010 finals.

"When we heard about what happened we wondered whether we should continue but we have decided to carry on and we will see," Beckenbauer told a news conference in Zurich, where the hosts will be chosen in a vote by FIFA officials tomorrow. South Africa are now clearly in pole position with Germany the outsiders. England and Morocco, the other two candidates left following the withdrawal of Brazil, are regarded as having only an outside chance.

Reports suggested England might withdraw as well after violence by English hooligans at Euro 2000. But bid director Alec McGivan said they would go all the way. "I want to make it very clear once and for all that there's not been any question of us pulling out," he said.

England's soccer ambassador Bobby Charlton said he had not given up hope. "We are a long way from being dead," he said. "I am ashamed of the hooligans like everybody else but I consider that we are still very much in the race. Things change by the minute in this business.

"If Franz Beckenbauer has a doubt in his mind that Germany can win why not give it to someone else who can," he said. "We would be very pleased if Germany gave us their vote because then we would win.

"We certainly do not believe that the CAF-CONMEBOL deal stops us winning, and if Beckenbauer thinks it stops the Germans winning they should give up now.

"We have more votes than Germany outside Europe and if only Europe would unify behind the English bid we could do it."

After surviving a series of serious recent setbacks, including the violence in Charleroi, and a damning inspection report which McGivan admitted rated England as `second-class' behind Germany and South Africa, there is some optimism that the campaign isn't a hopeless cause.

Although South Africa remain clear favourites, McGivan is convinced England are still in contention but acknowledges that the support of Jack Warner, president of the CONCACAF federation covering North and Central America, is crucial.

Twenty-four members of the executive committee of FIFA will cast their votes. Sepp Blatter, the president who is known to be a strong supporter of the South African bid, will have a casting vote in case of a tie.

Blatter has repeatedly said that the World Cup should go to South Africa provided its bid offered sufficient guarantees.

South Africa won high praise for its successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 1995. But the country's high crime rate is widely regarded as the biggest obstacle to the coveted prize.

Meanwhile Nelson Mandela said South Africa deserved to be the first African nation to host the prestigious tournament. "We are entitled to want to stage it for the first time in history," the 81-year-old former president stated.

Mandela said South Africa needed the backing of only one more country to win the right to host the competition. "We are in a very sensitive position because I think we can count only on 12 (votes) and we are now trying to get one more," he conceded.