The Allianz Arena is gearing up for Franz Beckenbauer's funeral. Olaf Scholz is also invited, but a speech by the Chancellor is probably not desired.
Munich – It is to be a commemoration worthy of the "Emperor". On Friday (19 January), thousands of fans, companions and politicians are expected at the Allianz Arena to bid farewell to Franz Beckenbauer. The large-scale funeral service will take place from 15 p.m. at the home of the German record champions – it will also be broadcast on TV.
Rummenigge wished for a funeral service at the Allianz Arena shortly after Beckenbauer's death
Just a few days after Beckenbauer's death on 7 January, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, former CEO of FC Bayern, expressed the wish to hold a funeral service for the "Kaiser" at the Allianz Arena. "The whole world of football and beyond is mourning the loss of our friend Franz. FC Bayern should host a funeral service in the stadium as a thank you and in his memory, which would never have happened without him," he told Bild.
Bayern's first home game against Hoffenheim was all about the Bavarian club icon. The arena shone with special lighting, there was a minute's silence before kick-off, the players on the pitch had a mourning ribbon tied around their arms. Nevertheless, a football match took place afterwards, which the Bavarians won 3-0 in the end.
Commemoration ceremony for the "Kaiser": Federal President Steinmeier and Chancellor Scholz also invited
On Friday, it's all about the "Emperor". The FC Bayern family wants to come together again to say goodbye to Beckenbauer in a big way. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz have also announced their visit. Steinmeier is to give a ten-minute eulogy, which Beckenbauer's widow had expressly requested, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
No speech by Scholz planned at funeral service – FC Bayern is probably quite happy with that
Scholz, however, is not expected to speak. Or rather, a speech by the Chancellor would not have been desirable at all for fear of a whistling concert on the part of the participants present, as the SZ claims to have learned from reliable sources in Munich and Berlin. Whistles against Scholz would overshadow the memorial service for Beckenbauer, so the fear. The Chancellery, on the other hand, emphasizes that a funeral speech by the Federal Chancellor was not planned anyway, reports the SZ.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had to endure a whistling concert at the European Handball Championship.
© IMAGO/Steinbrenner
Gerhard Schröder probably also among the guests at Beckenbauer's memorial service
In fact, just a few days ago, Scholz had to endure a shrill whistle concert during the second European Championship preliminary round match of the German handball team against North Macedonia. When the chancellor was greeted by the stadium announcer and captured by a camera, the crowd reacted with whistles and boos.
The fact that Steinmeier, Germany's highest constitutional body, is now to give a speech, made it possible to resolve this matter in an elegant way in the run-up to the funeral service. Scholz will only attend as a guest on Friday. According to the SZ, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder will also give a speech. In addition, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is said to be among the guests, who, according to the SZ, was also invited at the request of Beckenbauer's family. (kus)
Category list image: © IMAGO/Steinbrenner