NZ Soccer stunned by Dempsey's abstention

8:10 AM

The head of New Zealand Soccer is stunned that a Kiwi is responsible for South Africa losing out to Germany in hosting the soccer world cup final in 2006.

Oceania confederation president Charlie Dempsey abstained from voting for South Africa leaving them 1 vote short of Germany's total.

The President's casting vote would have gone to South Africa.

Soccer New Zealand chief executive Bill McGowan says Mr Dempsey was given instructions as to how to vote, by the Oceania Executive.

But he says he must have had his reasons for changing tack.

Correspondents in South Africa say there are suggestions Mr Dempsey abstained in protest over accusations that had been levelled at him.

Those include a claim that a bribe was offered by someone with a German connection.

Mr McGowan says Charlie Dempsey will be able to explain his reasoning to Executive members at the next Oceania meeting on Sunday.






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