Beckenbauer under criminal investigation in Switzerland

Franz Beckenbauer is under criminal investigation by the Swiss authorities over payments allegedly linked to Germany’s success in winning host rights to the 2006 World Cup.

Also under investigation, according to the Office of Swiss Attorney-General Michael Lauber, are former German federation presidents Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach as well as ex-DFB general secretary Horst R Schmidt.

All four men, who deny wrongdoing, face allegations of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money-laundering and misappropriation of funds.

Beckenbauer, greatest name in German football history as World Cup-winning captain then manager, was chairman of the 2006 bid committee. Later he became president of the organising committee after Germany beat South Africa 12-11 in a controversial FIFA executive committee vote in July 2000.

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