FC Bayern is dedicating tonight's match against Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena to the memory of Franz Beckenbauer. In addition to a minute's silence, which will be held in all German stadiums on this matchday, and both teams wearing black armbands, the Kaiser will be honoured through numerous acts.
The Bayern players will warm up with Franz Beckenbauer's no.5 shirt and wear training jackets from the Kaiser’s era. The child mascots for both teams will also be similarly dressed, and Beckenbauer’s own song ‘Gute Freunde’ will be played over the Allianz Arena's loudspeakers as the squads walk out, as well as if Bayern score a goal. A Beckenbauer banner will adorn the centre circle ahead of kick-off. The Bayern players will play the match in a special jersey with "Danke Franz" – Thank you Franz – printed on it. The jerseys will be signed after the final whistle and, like the warm-up shirts and tracksuits, will be auctioned off on the FC Bayern Online Store auction platform from 17 January. All proceeds will go to the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation.
Videos in memory of the Kaiser will be played on the Allianz Arena screens, and FC Bayern has invited many of Beckenbauer's companions, who will also be present at the big official memorial service on Friday, 19 January, from 3pm in the Allianz Arena (admission tickets for all HERE). As on previous evenings, the stadium of the German record champions will be illuminated for the match with the words "Danke Franz", and after the match this illumination will remain in place until half past midnight in honour of Beckenbauer to accompany all visitors on their way home.
The club’s Legends team, which is taking part in an indoor tournament in Frankfurt at the same time, will also play with black armbands. The FC Bayern Basketball team had already commemorated the club icon during the week at their game against Real Madrid, with both teams waring warm-up shirts with "Beckenbauer 5" printed on them under the watchful eyes of president Herbert Hainer and honorary president Uli Hoeneß, and there was also a minute's silence.
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