German police have raided the national football federation (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt and other locations across the country as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving “unauthorised favours” linked to the 2024 European Championship.
Scope of the investigation
The case focuses on accusations that employees of host cities 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 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.” They added that host cities were allegedly offered exclusive pre-purchase rights for tickets by those responsible at the organising entity.
DFB's role and response
The statement did not name the DFB, but the federation confirmed its Frankfurt headquarters had been searched. “The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or officials,” the DFB 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.
Details of the raids
Officials did not specify all targeted locations, but Bild newspaper reported that several city administrations—including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Munich—as well as companies were searched. 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. According to Bild, “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, a host city, is suspected of having received tickets, travel, and hotel benefits worth €2,400 (£2,000).
Official statements
“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.
