Criminal investigation into Beckenbauer

GERMAN CORRUPTION

German world cup winner and legendary centre-back Franz Beckenbauer, is under criminal investigation for money laundering in connection with the awarding of the 2006 FIFA World Cup to Germany. While he denies the claims he has admitted to making mistakes, which in our language means I'm guilty but I don't want to admit it.

He headed the bid and with colleagues is under investigation for fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation. You'll remember previously he tried to avoid answering questions and then would only answer them under certain circumstances.

Swiss prosecutors named four suspects on Thursday

• Franz Beckenbauer: Former vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), president of the 2006 World Cup local organising committee (LOC) and former member of the Fifa executive committee
• Wolfgang Niersbach: Former president of the DFB, vice-president of the LOC and current member of the Fifa and Uefa executive committees
• Theo Zwanziger: Former president of the DFB, vice-president of the LOC and former member of the Fifa and Uefa executive committees
• Horst Rudolf Schmidt: Former secretary-general of the DFB and vice-president of the LOC

The Associated Press agency reported that authorities have raided Beckenbauer's home in Austria among other locations. It is claimed that £6-million for a gala event was used to repay a non existent debt to DFB (German Football Association). Guess that was one of the 'mistakes' he was talking about!