Franz Beckenbauer wants World Cup investigation report published

Former FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer wants the ethics investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 to Russia and Qatar to be published.

Former FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer wants the report of the ethics investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be published, Beckenbauer told the Associated Press.

Beckenbauer, who played internationally for Germany, said he didn't take any bribes during the bidding process and that FIFA has nothing to hide. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said last month the report will not be published.

"Nobody offered me anything in order to influence my vote. No. This did not happen,"

Beckenbauer said

through a translator in London. "As far as the vote is concerned I can't say anything because it was a secret ballot and I have to observe this agreement made at the time."

"Personally there's nothing to hide," Beckenbauer, who is a special adviser to FIFA's football committee, said at the Security Sport conference. "If you have nothing to hide you can publish and divulge it."

•​ WAHL: Women's stars sue over World Cup artificial turf

The 2018 World Cup was awarded to Russia, while the 2022 tournament was given to Qatar.

Beckenbauer joins several other current and former members of FIFA who have called for the report to be published. 

FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne tweeted his support last month, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said he will push for publication and UEFA president Michel Platini said he supports publication. The lead investigator, Michael Garcia, also said the report should be released.

FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert is not expected to reveal the results of the investigation until next spring.

Beckenbauer also said he didn't expect Qatar to win the vote since he's doubtful about how realistic it is to play the tournament during the summer in Qatar.

"I was surprised Qatar won," Beckenbauer said. "In the summer it's not possible to play football there despite the fact Qatar developed a system of cooling the stadiums in order to create more comfortable temperatures."

FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger said last month he thinks the World Cup will ultimately be moved from Qatar because of the heat.

•​ WAHL: Will a Qatar World Cup really happen?

- Paul Palladino