The former World Cup winner as captain and coach said
Thursday he would not run again in 2011. In a statement, the 65-year-old
Beckenbauer said he wanted to travel less and spend more time with his family.
“I have had a very good time with my colleagues on the FIFA
board, at UEFA, and I have a very friendly relationship with (FIFA President)
Sepp Blatter and (UEFA President) Michel Platini. I ask for understanding over
my decision,” Beckenbauer said.
Beckenbauer's four-year term runs out in the spring. His
last function will be to take part in the election of World Cup hosts for 2018
and 2022 in Zurich on Dec. 2.
Beckenbauer claimed the seat on FIFA's 24-member executive
committee as a representative of UEFA. His seat on the European federation will
be filled in March.
Beckenbauer's withdrawal leaves German football federation
president Theo Zwanziger as the only German representative in a major football
body, as UEFA executive committee member.
After an illustrious career as captain of Germany's team
that won the 1974 World Cup title, Beckenbauer was the coach of the 1990
champion team. He also headed the organizing committee of the 2006 World Cup in
Germany.
Beckenbauer stepped down as Bayern Munich president one year
ago and has said he wants to scale down his public functions.
