München – According to Matthias Sammer (57), Germany failed in its management of Franz Beckenbauer. The former national player spoke of the first anniversary of the death of the football “Champion” in connection with accusations of corruption surrounding the awarding of the 2006 World Cup, accusing the country of hypocrisy.
“In everything he did, he only wanted the best. In football you always have to assert yourself – as a player, a coach and also to bring a big tournament to Germany. He had to deal with situations for which he had no responsibility,” Sammer told “t-online” in an interview.
It could be considered “a kind of corruption” to require the votes of people in such a system to secure a tournament. “I don’t want to evaluate that. There is also no evidence of what might have been necessary,” Sammer added.
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Beckenbauer, who died on January 7, 2024 at the age of 78, was embroiled in a scandal surrounding unspecified millions in payments linked to the awarding of the tournament while he was head of the organizing committee during the he summer of the magical World Cup.
In Switzerland, investigations were launched against him for suspicion of fraud, money laundering and embezzlement. The proceedings against Beckenbauer were separated in the summer of 2019 from those concerning other defendants. In the end, this also became statute barred, as did the charges against three close associates of the Summer Fairy Era.
“We all sent Franz Beckenbauer to the front, and everyone knew what dubious systems and demands the FIFA council implied for him in the end. I don’t know how he managed to bring the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Then attacking him for having to navigate this system is actually hypocrisy,” Sammer said.
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It hurts him “very, very badly.” Everyone knew this in advance when they sent Franz into this battle. As a result, I still find it outrageous how he was treated,” Sammer continued.
For the former DFB sporting director and FC Bayern board member, Beckenbauer was an absolute role model. “With its presence, its naturalness, its sovereignty and its clarity. He never put himself in the center but always wanted to achieve the best,” Sammer emphasized.
The 1996 European champion even has an oversized, glazed poster of Beckenbauer in his own winter garden. The photo shows Beckenbauer after a Champions Cup victory with the trophy in his hands. “I feel a smile and gratitude for having met him. I think of him often because he was so special in so many areas of life,” Sammer recalled.
© German Press Agency
