BECKENBAUER CANCELS PUBLIC APPOINTMENT IN ZURICH
Following the on-going investigations by some Swiss prosecutors into allegations of corruptions, Franz Beckenbauer was forced to cancel a public appointment that was supposed to hold in Zurich.
The investigation is being carried out into the awarding of the 2006 World Cup that saw Germany come off as the host country.
Beckenbauer, who owns a South African winery, was supposed to be at a public wine tasting in a Zurich hotel, where he was supposed to present his own brand of ‘The Kaiser’s Wines’.
The German football legend is not alone in the investigations. Three other members of the 2006 World Cup organizing committee – Hans-Rudolf Schmidt, Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach, are also being investigated by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland.
On Thursday, the court in Bern made it known that the investigations into the four Germans have been ongoing since last year, November to be precise. Allegations made on the quartet are those of criminal mismanagement, fraud, misappropriation, and money laundering.
On Thursday, searches were carried out in more than eight locations. Bild, the German daily reported that two hours were spent by officials who were searching Beckenbaeur’s home in Salzburg.
Speaking to Bild, Beckenbaeur’s lawyer had said that the investigation by Swiss authorities was supported by the German football legend.
“Franz Beckenbauer supported the investigation by the Swiss authorities, since he had prior knowledge of it (the search) and will continue to co-operate with all the authorities involved,”
The paper also noted that the home of former General Secretary of FIFA, the world football governing body, UrsLinsi was also among the locations searched.
In 1974, Germany had captained Germany to the World Cup and was the coach of the side that took home the trophy in the year 1990 at Italy.
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