World Cup profit higher than estimated - DFB

BERLIN, March 1 (Reuters) Germany's World Cup organising committee made a pre-tax profit of 155 million euros (5 million), 20 million euros more than estimated in September, the German soccer federation (DFB) said today.

The committee will pay back 49 million euros to soccer's world governing body FIFA, the DFB said on its web site after a final meeting of the committee's supervisory board in Berlin chaired by Franz Beckenbauer.

What is left from the remaining 106 million after tax will be split between the DFB and Germany's professional league (DFL), it said, adding that the tax treatment was currently being negotiated with finance authorities.

''It's very clear that any money the DFB gets will be used for projects that serve the public good,'' federation President Theo Zwanziger said.

Total revenue from the month-long tournament was 557 million euros and spending was 402 million euros, the DFB said.

Reuters DH VP0050