GERMANY
Beckenbauer no longer deserves 'Kaiser' moniker, say Germans
The poll by German publication Stern comes after the latest revelations concerning the football legend's role in organising the 2006 World Cup.
A majority of Germans think footballing great Franz Beckenbauer does not deserve his 'Kaiser' nickname anymore, according to the magazine Stern.
Reputation hit by World Cup allegations
In a survey published on the website of the German publication on Wednesday, 55 percent of those polled believe the tag is no longer justified in the wake of the latest revelations concerning his role in organising the scandal-hit 2006 World Cup.
Last week, magazine Der Spiegel said the 71-year-old pocketed more than five million euros as head of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, which he failed to pay tax on.
The payment was reportedly taken from a donation of 12 million euros made by a World Cup sponsor, the gambling company Oddset.
Beckenbauer's attorneys rejected the claim, saying the earning arose from his advertising work and was "promptly taxed at his Austrian residence".
Known as 'Kaiser' since 60s
The German media first used the nickname 'Kaiser Franz' in the late 1960s before Beckenbauer captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title and then managed the national team to glory at Italia '90.
Beckenbauer is currently under investigation by Swiss authorities in relation to corruption allegations over the awarding of the World Cup to Germany.