German police have raided the national football federation headquarters and other sites across the country as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving 'unauthorised favours' linked to the 2024 European Championship.
Investigation Focuses on Host Cities and Ticket Allocations
The case focuses on accusations that employees of cities in Germany, which hosted the tournament, were improperly invited to matches or given preferential treatment in acquiring tickets. In a joint statement, prosecutors in Bochum and police in North Rhine-Westphalia state said: 'The investigations concern alleged unauthorised favours including attendance to a football game among others that an accused individual, who was working for a host city at the time, is said to have received from officials of the organising entity. In addition, the host cities are said to have been offered exclusive pre-purchase rights for tickets by those responsible at the organising entity.'
DFB Confirms Search, Says It Is a Witness
The statement did not mention the DFB by name, but the federation later confirmed its Frankfurt headquarters had been searched. 'The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or officials,' it said in an emailed statement to Reuters. 'Rather, the DFB is involved in these proceedings solely as a witness and has pledged full cooperation with the authorities.' Euro 2024 took place across Germany in June and July 2024, with Spain winning. The event was organised by Euro 2024 GmbH, a joint venture between the DFB and Uefa.
Wider Searches and Suspects Named
Officials did not specify other targeted locations, but Bild newspaper reported that several city administrations, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Munich, were searched, as well as companies. Bild said the morning raids involved more than 150 officers and stemmed from inquiries into suspected bribery against a 66-year-old German national and a 46-year-old French national, adding that 'several thousand tickets may have been illegally allocated internally to preferred guests' at Euro 2024. The German national, at the time an employee of the city administration in Gelsenkirchen, one of the host cities, was suspected to have received tickets, travel and hotel benefits worth €2,400 (£2,000), Bild reported.
Official Reaction and Context
'A football ticket is not part of one's salary. Anyone in the public sector who has their hand out will get a visit from us,' Herbert Reul, interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, told Bild. 'Major events like the European football championship, in particular, rely on public trust – trust in the sport and in the authorities that make it possible. We will not allow that trust to be damaged by a few invitations and tickets.' German football is also reeling this week after the four-time champions were eliminated from the World Cup in a humiliating defeat against Paraguay.
