By Andrew Warshaw
February 18 – The reputation of Franz Beckenbauer, Germany’s most revered footballing icon, has suffered yet more damage after he was fined and cautioned by the FIFA ethics committee for failing to initially co-operate with the investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Der Kaiser, as Beckenbauer was known during his illustrious playing career, was originally censured for non-cooperation back in 2014, only for the provisional 90-day suspension to be lifted before it even got into its stride when he subsequently changed his mind and collaborated by answering all the questions put to him.
Beckenbauer, a prominent member of FIFA’s executive committee until he retired from football administration, was one of the 22 who voted to choose the 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) World Cup hosts, a joint ballot that led to the infamous Michael Garcia inquiry and which is still being probed amid ongoing conjecture and rumour.
Around half those who voted have either quit or been banned and in wrapping up Beckenbauer’s case, the ethics committee decided to sanction him with a lighter sentence of a warning and a SFr 7,000 fine for initially stalling investigators “despite repeated requests for his assistance.”
“As Mr Beckenbauer subsequently demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, he has been sanctioned with a warning and fine of CHF 7,000,” a statement added.
Interestingly, FIFA did not look into matters relating to the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Beckenbauer was head of the tournament’s organising committee and has been implicated in vote-buying allegations.
Last year, Der Spiegel magazine claimed a slush fund of €6.7 million was used to buy votes, fiercely denied by the German Football Association (DFB) and Beckenbauer. An internal German investigation is due to be released on March 4.
The mystery payment has never been fully explained and nor has a proposed deal allegedly made but never carried out with disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734888520labto1734888520ofdlr1734888520owedi1734888520sni@w1734888520ahsra1734888520w.wer1734888520dna1734888520