According to Matthias Sammer (57), Germany failed in its management of Franz Beckenbauer. The former international player referred to allegations of corruption surrounding the awarding of the 2006 World Cup on the first anniversary of the death of the “Emperor” of football, 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 even when you are supposed to bring a big tournament to Germany. However , he had to deal with situations for which he is not responsible,” Sammer told “t-online” in an interview.
He suggested that one could see it “as some form of ‘corruption’ when you need people’s votes in such a system to get a tournament. I don’t want to evaluate that. It’s not proven either what might have been necessary for that,” Sammer continued.
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Beckenbauer, who died aged 78 on January 7, 2024, found himself embroiled as chairman of the Storybook Summer World Cup Organizing Committee in a scandal over unexplained payments of millions linked to the awarding of the tournament.
In Switzerland, investigations were launched against him on suspicion of fraud, money laundering and embezzlement. The proceedings against Beckenbauer were separated in the summer of 2019 from those involving other suspects. Ultimately, the case against him, as well as three relatives from the Summer’s Tale era, was time-barred.
“We all put Franz Beckenbauer forward, and everyone knew what dubious system, what demands this FIFA council would ultimately have. I don’t know how he managed to bring the 2006 World Cup to Germany. But to criticize him so fiercely because he had to operate in this system is hypocrisy,” Sammer said.
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“This pains me a lot. All this was known in advance when Franz was sent into this battle. As a result, I still find the way he was treated disgraceful,” Sammer added.
For the former DFB sporting director and FC Bayern board member, Beckenbauer was an absolute role model. “With his attitude, his naturalness, his sovereignty, his clarity. He never put himself in the spotlight but always wanted to achieve the best,” noted Sammer.
The 1996 European champion even has an oversized, varnished poster of Beckenbauer in his winter garden at home. The photo shows Beckenbauer after a victory in the Cup Winners’ Cup with the trophy in hand. “I feel a smile and gratitude within me that I had the chance to meet him. I think of him so often because he was so special in so many areas of life,” Sammer said.
