German football legend Franz Beckenbauer is one of six men being investigated for their part in the country's 2006 World Cup bid, BBC News reports.
The ethics committee of world governing body FIFA has decided to act after examining a report commissioned by the German Football Association (DFB).
In October, Beckenbauer, 70, said he made a "mistake" in the bidding process for which he took "responsibility". Germany beat South Africa 12-11 in the vote, which took place in July 2000.
Beckenbauer, Zwanziger, Schmidt and Hans are to be investigated for "possible undue payments and contracts to gain an advantage in the 2006 World Cup host selection", while Niersbach and Sandrock will be investigated for a "possible failure to report a breach of the Fifa code of ethics."
Beckenbauer was the head of the World Cup organizing committee, which reports allege made a payment to Fifa in return for a financial grant, BBC says.
