Franz Beckenbauer called for questioning in World Cup fraud case

Criminal proceedings against Beckenbauer and three other German members of the 2006 World Cup organizing committee were opened in 2015

Thursday 23 March 2017 17:52 GMT

Franz Beckenbauer's home in Austria was raided last year (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Swiss authorities say prosecutors have questioned Germany soccer great Franz Beckenbauer in their ongoing World Cup fraud case.

Criminal proceedings against Beckenbauer and three other German members of the 2006 World Cup organizing committee were opened in 2015.

The four are suspected of fraud, money laundering, criminal mismanagement, and misappropriation relating to a payment of 6.7 million euros ($7 million) to FIFA in 2005.

The Swiss attorney general's office said in a statement on Thursday that federal prosecutors questioned Beckenbauer earlier in the day in Bern, adding that “Beckenbauer was cooperative.”

Beckenbauer's home in Austria was raided last year for evidence on behalf of Swiss federal prosecutors investigating corruption linked to Fifa.

More to follow...

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Franz Beckenbauer called for questioning in World Cup fraud case

Criminal proceedings against Beckenbauer and three other German members of the 2006 World Cup organizing committee were opened in 2015

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering