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Franz Beckenbauer, World Cup Winner as Both Player and Coach for Germany, Dies at 78

FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer smiles during the FIFA Soccer World Cup award ceremony at the Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. (AP)
FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer smiles during the FIFA Soccer World Cup award ceremony at the Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. (AP)
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Franz Beckenbauer, World Cup Winner as Both Player and Coach for Germany, Dies at 78

FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer smiles during the FIFA Soccer World Cup award ceremony at the Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. (AP)
FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer smiles during the FIFA Soccer World Cup award ceremony at the Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. (AP)

Franz Beckenbauer, the German soccer great who helped his country win the World Cup both as player and coach, has died, news agency dpa reported Monday. He was 78.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,” the family said in a statement to dpa, the German news agency. “We ask that we be allowed grieve in peace and spared any questions.”

The statement did not provide a cause of death.

As a player and coach, Beckenbauer did more than most to shape German soccer. He captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974. He also coached the national side that won the 1990 World Cup final against Argentina.

In recent years the former Bayern Munich great struggled with health problems.

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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The extension starting from next year includes races only in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, F1 said Wednesday.

F1’s push in recent years to expand the schedule with more races in the United States and Asia has meant more competition for traditional venues in Europe seeking to keep their places on the calendar.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a favorite with many drivers for its flowing high-speed layout through forested hills, was on the F1 schedule for the first championship season in 1950 and has been on the calendar every year since 2007.

"The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

"Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1."

This year's Belgian Grand Prix race weekend is from July 25 through 27, including a sprint race.