Summary The probe comes as the 2014 World Cup prepares to enter its gripping concluding stage.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - As France and Germany prepare to serve up the first dish of a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final menu, a ticket tout inquiry continues Thursday with Brazil s 2002 title winner Ronaldinho s brother one of those wanted for questioning.
Brazilian authorities are investigating whether members of the Brazilian, Argentine and Spanish football federations were involved in the illegal sale of World Cup tickets after police dismantled a scalping gang.
The brother and agent of Ronaldinho, Roberto de Assis Moreira, will be questioned in the case, though he is not under investigation, said Marcos Kac, the Rio de Janeiro prosecutor.
Rio s iconic Maracana stadium is the fitting backdrop for Friday s meeting of the two European powerhouses, with France falling to Germany in the semi-finals at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
The victor will face either hosts Brazil, or one of the sensations of the tournament Colombia, who clash in Friday s second quarter-final in Fortaleza.
The last eight drama continues Saturday with Argentina facing Belgium and the Netherlands up against minnows Costa Rica.
History hangs heavy over the encounter as it evokes memories of the 82 semi-final which Germany won 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 extra-time draw.
The Tragedy of Seville attained notoriety when Germany keeper Harald Schumacher shoulder-charged Patrick Battiston, leaving the Frenchman unconscious on the ground.
Under 1998 World Cup winning captain Didier Deschamps Les Bleus have firmly left behind the miserably chaotic last World Cup campaign in South Africa.
"Didier Deschamps has turned France around since 2010 and we re looking forward to another classic," said his German opposite number Joachim Loew.
A cluster of former German captains have queued up to attack Loew s selections with playmaker Mesut Ozil struggling and centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes being played out of position as wing-backs.
