DFB's treasurer set to succeed Niersbach

Grindel is all but certain to become Niersbach's successor following a meeting of the chairmen of Germany's 21 regional and state football associations in Hanover on Tuesday.

The regional heads expressed their support for Grindel, who is currently the treasurer of the DFB, after one of its two acting presidents announced that he would not seek the post.

"I personally support the candidacy of Reinhard Grindel," Rainer Koch told reporters after emerging from the meeting.

The regional officials, who represent Germany's amateur clubs, have a majority within the DFB, meaning that Grindel is bound to be elected president at an extraordinary meeting known as a "Bundestag." Koch said the presidential election was to be organized "as soon as posssible." Grindel is currently the only candidate.

The next step in the process is a meeting of the DFB's presidium at the association's Frankfurt headquarters on Friday. Grindel would take another step towards getting the job if the presidium endorses his candidacy, something, which at this point appears likely. The presidium is also expected to set a date for the presidential vote.

Niersbach resignation

Koch and the DFB's other vice president, Reinhard Rauball, have been serving as acting presidents of the association since former President Wolfgang Niersbach stepped down last Monday.

Niersbach's resignation came amid a controversy over a 2005 payment of 6.7 million euros ($7.2 million) made to the world governing body FIFA, which has been linked to the 2006 World Cup.

This came almost a week after the authorities launched a tax-evasion investigation, which included raids on the DFB headquarters and Niersbach's private residence.