The German Football Association (DFB) has insisted a 6.7million euros payment by the organising committee of the 2006 World Cup to FIFA was not in exchange for votes to secure the right to stage that tournament.

The DFB announced on Friday that it had set up its own investigation into the payment after media attention on the issue mounted.

It said its own probe has not found any evidence of wrongdoing, adding that it is also investigating whether it has any right to claim that money back, if it is proven that it was not used for its stated purpose.

"The DFB has not found even the slightest indications of irregularities during our investigation," a statement published by the DFB on its website read. "At the same time, there have been no indications at all of votes being bought from delegates as part of the bidding process.

"The payment (of 6.7million euros to FIFA in 2005) was in no way connected with obtaining the (World Cup) five years earlier.

"These suggestions led to the DFB presidency ordering an internal investigation this summer with the scope of finding an explanation.

"This analysis, which has seen external law advisors consulted, also examined whether the DFB has any right to reclamation. The results are not yet known as the investigation, which has started, is still under way."