Franz Beckenbauer sanctioned by FIFA over lack of cooperation
Wednesday 17 February 2016 14:56, UK
FIFA's ethics committee has warned and fined Franz Beckenbauer after he failed to cooperate with their investigation regarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.
The World Cup winner, who has been sanctioned immediately, was a voter when Russia and Qatar were chosen to host the respective tournaments.
Beckenbauer has been fined 7000 Swiss francs (£4900) after he failed to cooperate with the investigation "despite repeated requests for his assistance".
The former Germany captain was head of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup in his homeland, but FIFA said this case did not look into the matters related to the awarding of that tournament.
A statement from FIFA said: "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.
"In the present case, Mr Beckenbauer 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.
"As Mr Beckenbauer subsequently demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, he has been sanctioned with a warning and fine of CHF 7000. Mr Beckenbauer had been previously provisionally banned for some time in regard to the present case."
