German Football Association searched in connection with corruption investigation surrounding Euro 2024

The German Football Association (DFB) was searched this week by investigative services as part of a large-scale corruption investigation surrounding the European Championship 2024. According to reports from the German daily Bild, the investigation revolves around possible abuses with hotel invitations and the distribution of thousands of tickets, which may have been improperly issued to privileged guests during the European Championship, which was held in ten German cities earlier this year.

The criminal investigation is led by the Public Prosecution Service in Bochum and the North Rhine-Westphalia Criminal Investigation Department, which searched several locations in Germany in collaboration with the police. The DFB was not explicitly mentioned in the official press release, but Bild confirms that the federation office was among the locations searched.

One of the main suspects is a German municipal employee from Gelsenkirchen, who is suspected of accepting entrance tickets, trips and hotel stays worth more than 2,500 euros. A French citizen is also said to be involved. "A football ticket is not part of the salary. Anyone who abuses his position in the public sector will have to deal with us," Herbert Reul, the Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, told Bild.

The investigation focuses on receiving illicit benefits, including visits to international football matches. Both the DFB and the European Football Association have not yet responded to the news.

This scandal comes during a turbulent period for German football, as the national team was recently painfully eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup by Paraguay on penalties. The future of national coach Julian Nagelsmann is once again under discussion after this disappointing performance.