Ironically, the deceased football legend Horst Eckel should not get a grave of honor in his home village of Vogelbach.

"The Bruchmühlbach community refuses to give Papa an honorary grave.

I find that very unpleasant, especially since we would take care of the grave.

I'm just concerned that Papa gets this recognition, because he has done a lot for Vogelbach, for all of Germany," said his daughter Dagmar Eckel of the German Press Agency.

Eckel died on December 3rd last year at the age of 89 as the last world champion of the team from 1954, which achieved a historic success with the "Miracle of Bern".

He was buried a few days later in the Bruchmühlbach-Miesauer district of Vogelbach in the Kaiserslautern district.

Eckel, a close friend of captain Fritz Walter (both 1. FC Kaiserslautern), who died in 2002, would have turned 90 next Tuesday (February 8).

"The local community as well as the associated community administration have tried with all means and forces to allow Mr. Horst Eckel a dignified farewell at the cemetery in the district of Vogelbach, which caused not inconsiderable costs," said Mayor Erik Emich on request.

"Due to the considerable budget deficit of the local community and the existing strict budgetary requirements of the municipal supervisory authority, it has not been decided - in a single case - on the promise of a voluntary service in the form of an "honorary grave".

"Mom was very disappointed"

A grave of honor is given by a municipality as an award for the merits of a deceased and as a memorial.

The care of the grave can then be paid for with public funds, but there are different regulations for this.

The rest period can be extended beyond the usual time.

"Mum was also very disappointed, we were very disappointed as a family.

That's something nobody understands.

It's not nice for us, we can't understand it," said Dagmar Eckel.

She wants to fight for her father to get an honorary grave after all.

Eckel was born in the 1,300-inhabitant village of Vogelbach and last lived there with his wife Hannelore.

At the age of 22, the outsider was the youngest in the team of legendary coach Sepp Herberger in the 3-2 final victory over Hungary.

The 32-time national player was awarded honorary citizenship in Bruchmühlbach-Miesau in 1998, according to the municipal code it expires with death.

"But even a non-honorary citizen can get an honorary grave," said Dagmar Eckel.

She received an invoice for 1,900 euros for digging the grave, "which I would also pay, of course.

But for me it's just a matter of honor, respect for dad and that the grave stands."

On the day of Eckel's 90th birthday (4:00 p.m.), a wreath-laying ceremony is to take place in the Vogelbach cemetery, just a few hundred meters from his long-standing home - in the presence of representatives of the German Football Association.

In the evening (6 p.m.) an exhibition about Horst Eckel will open in the Palatinate Library in Kaiserslautern.

A Horst Eckel Gala is also planned (March 28 in Berlin).

In a room in Vogelbach, Eckel had numerous trophies, medals and photos from his football days.

According to his daughter Dagmar, the mementos have now been placed in safes outside the home.

His jersey, shorts and socks are on loan at the German Football Museum in Dortmund.

"One Last Honor"

Former referee Markus Merk, who was born in Kaiserslautern, finds it difficult to understand that Eckel should not be given an honorary grave.

"It's unbelievable for me, no matter what the reasons are," said the 59-year-old dpa.

Merk, who gave a long speech at Eckel's funeral service, stressed that he was aware of the region's structural weaknesses.

“But he would have deserved one last badge of honor as a person and as an athlete.

Every community in football Germany would have been happy to have had a Horst Eckel,” said Merk, who resigned from his positions as a member of the supervisory board of 1. FC Kaiserslautern eV and as chairman of the advisory board of 1. FC Kaiserslautern Management GmbH at the end of December.