- The video above shows impressions from the memorial service.
During the memorial for Franz Beckenbauer, Hoeneß appealed against the AfD. He expressed that the 2006 World Cup, which Beckenbauer brought to Germany, had “initiated a process” where many Germans were proud of their country. Hoeneß wishes for this process to continue in the future. “But I want to emphasize that I do not want the AfD to be a part of this process,” he added.
In an interview with the ” Frankfurter Allgemeinen ” Hoeneß explained how the speech came about. “I thought for a very, very long time about whether to say this,” confessed the honorary president of FC Bayern. “You see, when I conceive such a speech, I never write anything down, I develop it bit by bit over several days, sometimes at night when I am lying awake.”
Anti-AfD plea during Beckenbauer’s speech – Hoeneß “would repeat it the same way tomorrow”
He knew that he wanted to talk about the summer fairy tale of 2006 and the pride of the German fans, “about the black-red-golden flags in the streets”. But then he thought, “Oops, someone could get the idea that I am thinking in the direction of the AfD.” That’s why Hoeneß “struggled with whether to say that at a memorial service”. But it was important to him, so he decided to do it – and Hoeneß stands by it: “I would repeat it the same way tomorrow.”
Since the AfD “is playing an increasingly important role” in Germany, Hoeneß is becoming increasingly concerned. When he watches documentaries about the Nazi era, he is “so stirred up every time”.
Hoeneß on possible AfD success: “This must never happen”
“Man oh man,” Hoeneß says to himself. “If our country even remotely goes in that direction again – it must never happen!”
Nevertheless, he believes that sports should “preferably stay out of political issues”. “But when it comes to such fundamental issues, sports must not remain silent. That’s why I spoke.”
