Franz Beckenbauer

Berlin: A majority of Germans believe Franz Beckenbauer no longer deserves the nickname 'Kaiser Franz', given the latest revelations concerning his role in the scandal-hit 2006 World Cup.

According to a poll published yesterday on the website of German magazine Stern, 55 per cent believe the nickname 'Kaiser' is no longer justified.

Last week, weekly magazine Der Spiegel said the 71-year-old pocketed more than five million euros as head of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, which he failed to pay tax on.