Beckenbauer admits Germany 2006 "went to the limits" to land FIFA World Cup

Franz Beckenbauer has defended his conduct during Germany's successful bid for the 2006 FIFA World Cup ©Getty Images

Franz Beckenbauer admits the successful German bid for the 2006 World Cup "went to the limits" to win the race, but he claims he has a "clear conscience" over his personal conduct throughout the bidding process.

The German Bid Committee was accused by magazine Der Spiegel last month of using a €6.7 million (£5 million/$7.6 million) slush fund to buy votes, which both Beckenbauer and German Football Association (DSB) president Wolfgang Niersbach reportedly knew about.

Both deny the allegations, although Niersbach has since resigned from his post.

Predecessor Theo Zwanziger and the association's former general secretary Horst R. Schmidt are also allegedly implicated.

Speaking to Sky in his first television appearance since the scandal emerged, Beckenbauer responded: "What are the limits?" when asked if lines had been crossed.

"There was no Ethics Commission, and we could contact members of the FIFA Executive Committee directly," he said.

"We always went to the limit.

"It was another time."

External investigator Freshfields, a law firm, is set to question Beckenbauer about his role in the 2006 scandal, according to Suddeutsche Zeitung.

The DFB has confirmed the existence of a draft agreement allegedly offering non-cash incentives such as tickets and friendly matches to former North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF) President Jack Warner, who has since been banned from the sport for life due to widespread corruption.

This was signed by Beckenbauer although, the DFB claim it was an agreement between the body and CONCACAF, rather than the two individuals.

Franz Beckenbauer (right) pictured with Jack Warner (centre) and former FIFA President João Havelange in 2000 ©Getty Images

But the 70-year-old, who lifted the World Cup as West German captain in 1974 before repeating the feat as a manager in 1990, admits he may have signed the documents but claims he could easily have done this without first reading it.

"When I have confidence in someone, I sign, without reading," he said.

"I have a clear conscience."

He does admit, however, that the date of the agreement just five days before Germany was awarded the showpiece event in 2000 is concerning.

"The only thing that bothers me is the date of July 2," he added.

"We could think that it's linked to the corruption.

"If there was a slush fund or attempted corruption, I would have said something about it."

Beckenbauer also faces a ban by the FIFA Ethics Committee for alleged wrongdoing during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 editions, controversially given to Russia and Qatar respectively in 2010.

He is widely believed to have voted for Russia in 2018 and Australia in 2022, but allegedly refused to cooperate with the investigations into the two tournaments.