Franz Beckenbauer cancels trip to Zurich

Franz Beckenbauer cancelled a trip to Zurich the day after he was accused by Swiss justice of breach of trust, enrichment and money laundering as part of an ongoing investigation into the 2006 World Cup.

The German football legend, owner of wineries in South Africa, had a public appointment at a hotel in Zurich to present his own brand of wines 'The Kaiser's Wines'.

Beckenbauer, 70, is one of four men, all members of the organizing committee of the 2006 World Cup attributed to Germany, pursued by Swiss justice in this case, along with Hans-Rudolf Schmidt, Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach, the last two former presidents of the German Football Federation (DFB).

The four are accused of fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and misappropriation.

Swiss justice also announced that searches were carried out at eight different points, one of which was the 'Kaiser's' own home, in collaboration with the German and Austrian authorities.

German magazine Der Spiegel had indicated in late October 2015 that Germany had allegedly used a secret fund of 10 million Swiss francs (6.7 million euros) to buy votes to host the 2006 World Cup, in a process in which the German candidacy prevailed over the South African one by 12 votes to 11.

Beckenbauer supports the investigation by Swiss authorities since he became fully aware of it and will continue to cooperate with the authorities," said the 'Kaiser's' lawyer to Bild newspaper.