Beckenbauer to stand down from FIFA executive

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer said Thursday he will not stand for re-election for world football’s governing body FIFA’s executive committee in 2011.

The 65-year-old, who both captained and coached Germany to World Cup titles in 1974 and 1990, revealed the news in a press release citing personal and family reasons for his decision.

‘The Kaiser’ was elected to FIFA’s executive committee in January 2007, but since turning 65 in September has said he wants to scale back the amount of travel he needs to do and has stood down as president of Bayern Munich.

“I have had a good time with my colleagues on the FIFA executive committee and have a very friendly relationship with (FIFA president) Sepp Blatter and (UEFA president) Michel Platini,” said Beckenbauer in a statement.

“I apologise for my decision.”

Beckenbauer has said he wants to spend time with his current wife Heidi and children Joel and Francesca.

“Hardly anybody has had such a full life as I have had,” he said.

“I am happy and hope it stays that way for a long time.”