Criminal proceedings have been opened against Franz Beckenbauer and three other members involved with Germany's bid for the 2006 World Cup.
Franz Beckenbauer and Wolfgang Niersbach are among four men who are facing criminal proceedings from the attorney general of Switzerland in relation to Germany's successful 2006 World Cup bid.
Germany legend Beckenbauer, former DFB president Niersbach, Horst Rudolf Schmidt and Theo Zwanziger – who were all members of the executive board of the organizing committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany – are facing allegations of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation.
The investigation, which follows the launch of a FIFA probe in March, centers on the financing of a gala event, in which it is claimed the suspects knew the funds were not used for the event but to pay a debt not owed by the DFB.