The state and the football association of Qatar are to take legal action against former German Football Association (DFB) president Theo Zwanziger.
In a statement given to dpa on Thursday, Zwanziger is accused of "an unacceptable slander and vilification of the citizens and community."
The statement said Zwanziger had referred to Qatar as a "cancerous growth on world football" in connection to the controversial hosting of the 2022 World Cup.
"Qatar is open to objective criticism and controversial discussions - even if criticism is not justified," the statement continued.
"Freedom of expression is allowed but that does not include the right to defame and insult by using a term like 'cancerous growth'."
The 70-year-old Zwanziger has been a strong critic of world governing body FIFA's decision to award the World Cup to the Gulf state.
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