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Franz Beckenbauer in 1974 after the home win in Munich against the Dutch
Photo: WEREK / IMAGO
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1974 World Cup final, the German Football Association (DFB) invited the world champions to the national team's international match against the Netherlands - and in doing so caused not joy but rather discontent among many of the heroes of the time. As a result, only four former German players will be in the Frankfurt stadium on Tuesday (8.45 p.m./RTL), as the DFB confirmed.
According to TZ information, the reason for this is, among other things, that the invitation was too short-term. This was only sent on February 27th. Too late for most of the world champions, many canceled because of other appointments or vacations that had already been agreed. In addition, from the perspective of the players at the time, it would have been more appropriate to organize a separate celebration instead of just inviting the players from back then in connection with an international match.
According to the report, the invitation is dated February 27th and was signed by both DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and his Dutch KNVB counterpart Just Spee.
The DFB also wanted to use the international match against the Netherlands as an opportunity to commemorate the late Franz Beckenbauer. He was captain in the 1974 game against the Netherlands.
“Unfortunately that turned out to be a bit unfortunate, but the DFB does what it wants anyway,” said goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier to TZ.
»The idea of meeting everyone again is certainly not a bad one. But then you have to organize it differently. I told Bernd Neuendorf that I was on vacation." Wolfgang Overath told the "Express": "The idea of meeting everyone again is certainly not a bad one. But then you have to organize it differently. I told Bernd Neuendorf that I was on vacation.«
Berti Vogts, Rainer Bonhof and Wolfgang Kleff want to oppose it. Just like eleven runners-up from the Netherlands who have announced their arrival. In 1974, the national team won 2-1 against Elftal and secured their second World Cup title in history at the home World Cup in Munich.
According to media director Steffen Simon, the DFB is already trying to improve the currently troubled relationship with the world champions - especially President Neuendorf. The “Express” quoted Neuendorf as saying: “It is a personal concern of mine that the DFB’s relationship with its legends improves. I really appreciate the performance of our heroes. They have done a lot for the association and our country." The association is currently looking at "how we can do justice to our former stars."
According to reports, the World Cup heroes are now planning their own celebration, which will take place in Munich on July 7th.
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