“Hello, Franz!”: Fans, friends, companions and greats from politics and sport – they all say goodbye to Franz Beckenbauer at a big memorial ceremony in Munich’s Allianz Arena.
This Friday the big memorial ceremony in honor of the late Franz Beckenbauer will take place in the Munich Allianz Arena. The death of the German football legend on January 7th caused great consternation in Germany and internationally, although it did not come as a surprise. It was an open secret that the 78-year-old had not been in good health for a long time. Years ago, Beckenbauer had withdrawn from the public eye, in which he had been present almost continuously for decades as a footballer, as a coach, as Bayern president, as an advertising medium and, last but not least, as the creator of the summer fairy tale of 2006. Most recently, opaque money flows have been a problem in the awarding process the home World Cup to Germany to Beckenbauer’s image. The allegations have not yet been resolved to this day.
The memorial service in honor of Beckenbauer will once again be close to many people, that much is certain. The club wants to offer a “special, emotional setting” for the farewell to “the greatest personality FC Bayern has ever had” (Hoeneß). It is planned that the memorial service, which will be broadcast by numerous television stations, will honor Beckenbauer in all its facets.
Which guests of honor are coming to the memorial service?
High-ranking political representatives include Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder. The club’s football stars around Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller also say goodbye to one of Germany’s greatest personalities. Many companions from the multi-faceted life of Beckenbauer, revered as a “figure of light,” remember their friend and companion in the stadium.
The guest list from football is long. It ranges from national coach Julian Nagelsmann to numerous world champion colleagues of the player Beckenbauer from 1974 to world champions of the coach Beckenbauer from 1990. Celebrities outside of football including tennis legend Boris Becker also take part in the commemoration.
Where is the memorial service on TV?
The funeral service will be broadcast widely on television – the star shows them online. The TV channels RTL and n-tv also broadcast live. Presenter Florian König will be leading the RTL special “Farewell to the Emperor – Funeral Service for Franz Beckenbauer” from the stadium of the German record champions from 2:50 p.m. At his side is Beckenbauer’s former TV companion Günther Jauch.
How many spectators are expected?
The arena can accommodate around 50,000 visitors. Due to special structures for the event, the normal capacity of 75,000 spectators will be reduced. Free tickets can be obtained directly at the stadium at short notice on Friday. Everyone who comes to the arena should have the opportunity to say goodbye to the “Emperor”.
Who will give speeches?
As political representatives, Federal President Steinmeier and Prime Minister Söder will honor Beckenbauer’s achievements. President Herbert Hainer and honorary president Uli Hoeneß speak from the club’s side. The 72-year-old Hoeneß is also a particularly close companion as a representative of Beckenbauer’s generation of players.
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What program is planned?
The stadium opens at 12 p.m. Music contributions and films will be announced from 1:40 p.m. Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann will sing the Italian version of “Time to say Goodbye” and a total of three songs at the beginning of the memorial service. “In my opinion, Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest personality of the club and of German football as a whole; he is unrivaled as an athlete and person,” said the 54-year-old businessman. The memorial service is expected to last around 75 minutes.
Editor’s note: The star is part of RTL Deutschland.
Source: Stern
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