That drew a withering response from the German, who had been favourite to succeed Michel Platini as Uefa president until the scandal struck.

“The recommendations for sanctions by the investigatory chamber are inexplicable,” he said.

“As it is a question of honour and in order to protect my person, I will oppose this request with all possible legal means.”

The ethics probe is focused on irregular seven-figure payments and contracts during the bidding process and later delivery of the World Cup, the organising committee of which included Niersbach.

He has always claimed the transactions, which are also being examined by Swiss federal prosecutors and German criminal and tax investigators, were part of a Fifa financing deal to unlock a £173 million grant for World Cup staging costs.

German magazine Der Spiegel last year alleged the cash originated from a loan made by former Adidas boss Robert Louis-Dreyfus to bribe voters to choose Germany when the tournament was awarded in 2000.

Allegations of corruption have surrounded the ballot from the moment it became known that Oceania delegate Charlie Dempsey abstained in the final round.

The New Zealander, who died in 2008, was meant to have voted for South Africa, which would have made it 12-12, giving the casting vote to then Fifa boss Sepp Blatter.