Germany’s World Cup-winning captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer has been warned and fined by FIFA’s ethics committee. He had earlier been provisionally banned for “failing to cooperate” with its inquiry into the bidding processes for 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively. Beckenbauer, 70, was one of 22 men who voted to decide the tournament hosts. FIFA says he did not cooperate during an in-person interview and in response to written questions. Beckenbauer, who subsequently demonstrated a willingness to cooperate according to FIFA, was fined 7,000 Swiss Francs.

FIFA did not look into matters relating to the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Beckenbauer was the head of the tournament’s organising committee which, reports alleged, made a payment to FIFA in return for a financial grant. In October, he said he made a “mistake” in the bidding process to host the 2006 World Cup, but denied that votes were bought. Der Spiegel magazine reported that an alleged slush fund of 6.7 million euros was used to buy votes for Germany – an allegation denied by the German Football Association (DFB). Beckenbauer captained West Germany to victory as hosts at the 1974 World Cup, and was coach when they next lifted the trophy in Italy 16 years later. He then managed Olympique Marseille and Bayern Munich, where he is now honorary president.