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Corruption trial underway in Germany

The German referee who admitted taking bribes to fix games for a betting syndicate went on trial with five other people on Tuesday in the biggest corruption case in German soccer in more than 30 years.

Robert Hoyzer, already banned for life by the German soccer federation, is charged with fraud. Former referee Dominik Marks, player Steffen Karl, and three Croatian brothers accused of running the betting ring also went on trial at the Berlin state court.

Flanked by two lawyers, Hoyzer wore a dark three-piece suit as he walked into the court building through a blaze of camera lights carrying a pair of thick file folders.

The trial is expected to last at least until Dec. 29, meaning pro-ceedings could be in progress when top international soccer officials assemble in Leipzig on Dec. 9 for the 2006 World Cup draw. Germany is hosting the championship next summer.

The trial opened with the prosecutors reading the charge sheet. Hoyzer is accused of 11 counts of fraud. The defendants could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Hoyzer is also a chief witness for the prosecution, which based its indictment on his statements to investigators.

Hoyzer's lawyer, Thomas Hermes, has said he would seek a suspended sentence for his client because of his willingness to cooperate with the prosecution.
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