Bratislava - The former second-highest official in the Slovakian football federation SFZ is to face trial for corruption, the country's general prosecution service confirmed Thursday in Bratislava.

Vladimir Wanke, who has been relieved of his duties at the SFZ as a result of the scandal, has to defend himself against charges of taking bribes on several occasions.

The former chairman of Slovakia's football league commission was arrested in March 2007 when receiving a cash payment but the collection of evidence has delayed the beginning of the trial until now.

Prosecutors accuse Wanke of using his position with the commission to demand bribes repeatedly in order to speed up the registration of players. (dpa)