Klose laughs off bribery allegations

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose on Thursday laughed off suggestions the German giants were bribed to lose last season's UEFA Cup semi-final to Zenit St Petersburg.

According to Spanish media reports, a Russian gang arrested there claimed they used tens of millions of euros in bribes to "buy" the trophy won by Zenit St Petersburg last season, beating Scotland's Rangers 2-0 in the May final.

Zenit had also beaten favourites Bayern Munich 4-0 in the second-leg match of the semi-final at home.

But Germany striker Klose, the top-scorer at the 2006 World Cup, insists he saw no signs of bribery.

"I didn't receive anything and anyway I wouldn't fancy getting involved," Klose told German sports agency SID.

But, tongue planted firmly in cheek, he added: "I probably didn't fire my shots straight (against Zenit), as I could only see the dollar signs flashing before my eyes."

Bayern's semi-final defeat by Zenit St Petersburg was the club's highest UEFA Cup defeat for 31 years and any suspicion of bribery left Klose completely cold.

"We have talked and made fun of it in the dressing room," he added.

But the allegations are far from a laughing matter for the rest of Bayern's staff. "If someone puts something concrete on the table about this, then we will comment," said Bayern press officer Markus Hoerwick.