The memorial service for Franz Beckenbauer in the Allianz Arena is intended to be a great tribute to the former world-class player. At the event on Friday in the FC Bayern Munich stadium, greats from politics and sport will commemorate the football “emperor”, who died on January 7th.
Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann (54) will begin by singing the Italian version of “Time to say Goodbye” and a total of three songs. The funeral service will be broadcast widely on television.
Among other things, ARD will report on the event live and in the ARD media library; Esther Sedlaczek will moderate it. BR television will broadcast from 2:40 p.m.
Special broadcasts in honor of Beckenbauer
The TV channels RTL and ntv also broadcast live, and you can stream the act of mourning on “RTL.de”. Moderator Florian König leads the RTL special “Farewell to the Kaiser – Funeral Service for Franz Beckenbauer” from the stadium of the German record champions. According to the broadcaster, Beckenbauer’s long-time companion Günther Jauch is at his side.
DAZN and Sky are also showing the memorial service in the Munich Arena, where 75,000 people are expected. Sky Sport News begins the broadcast with a studio talk under the motto “Hello, Franz!”.
Guest list from Steinmeier to Becker
Beckenbauer, who was 78 years old, was one of the most influential figures in FC Bayern and German football. The people of Munich want to offer their icon a “special, emotional setting” when he says goodbye.
Many personalities are on the guest list. In addition to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder, numerous of Beckenbauer’s companions will be there. Among the 1974 World Champions, Bayern Honorary President Uli Hoeneß, Paul Breitner and Günter Netzer will be taking part in the stadium.
“Not only successful, but unique”
Celebrities outside of football also say goodbye to Beckenbauer, such as tennis idol Boris Becker and former ski racers Christian Neureuther and Christa Kinshofer.
“Franz Beckenbauer rewrote the history of German football and had a lasting impact,” said long-time Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach of the national team, our president at Bayern and in all of these roles he was not only successful but unique. As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people – because before Franz everyone was equal. German football is losing the greatest personality in its history.”
