FIFA sanctions Franz Beckenbauer

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 4:30 pm

Beckenbauer: sanctioned by FIFA

The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee of world football governing body, FIFA, chaired by Jack Kariko on Wednesday imposed a sanction of warning and fine on football legend, Franz Beckenbauer.

The sanction comes into force immediately.

The decision was made based on investigations carried out by the chief of investigation, Vanessa Allard, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee.

Mr Beckenbauer, a German former professional footballer and manager, had failed to cooperate with an Ethics Committee investigation conducted by the then chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee regarding the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bids despite repeated requests for his assistance.

This included requests to provide information during an in-person interview and in response to written questions presented in both English and German. Mr Beckenbauer thus did not behave in accordance with the general rules of conduct applicable to football officials in the context of the investigations, thereby violating article 13 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE).

In addition, the adjudicatory chamber found Mr Beckenbauer to have violated article 18 (Duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting) and article 42 (General obligation to collaborate) of the FCE.

As Mr Beckenbauer subsequently demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, he has been sanctioned with a warning and fine 7,000 Swiss Franc. Mr Beckenbauer had been previously provisionally banned for some time in regard to the present case.

The present case did not look into the matters related to the awarding of the 2006 FIFA World Cup to Germany.

Beckenbauer was the head of the tournament’s organising committee which, reports alleged, made a payment to Fifa in return for a financial grant.

In October, he said he made a “mistake” in the bidding process to host the 2006 World Cup, but denied that votes were bought.

Der Spiegel magazine reported that an alleged slush fund of 6.7 million euros was used to buy votes for Germany – an allegation denied by the German Football Association (DFB).

Beckenbauer captained West Germany to victory as hosts at the 1974 World Cup, and was coach when they next lifted the trophy in Italy 16 years later.

He then managed Olympique Marseille and Bayern Munich, where he is now honorary president.