German Football Association Headquarters Searched in Euro 2024 Corruption Probe

The headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt, alongside several municipal administrative offices in Euro 2024Competition·Euro 2024 host cities and a Bavarian company, were subjected to searches on July 1, 2026. These actions are part of an extensive corruption probe investigating suspected ticket and hospitality violations related to the 2024 European Championship.

The investigation centers on allegations of "structured preferential treatment" and bribery, involving the illegal allocation of thousands of tickets and hotel invitations to "preferred guests" before and during Euro 2024Competition·Euro 2024. The probe targets a 66-year-old German national, reportedly a former municipal employee in Gelsenkirchen, and a 46-year-old Frenchman, believed to have been responsible for relations with host cities.

The German national is suspected of receiving tickets, travel, and hotel benefits valued at approximately €2,400. The Frenchman allegedly invited officials to top matches, including a Euro 2024Competition·Euro 2024 semi-final, with the investigation concerning "unauthorised advantages, including a visit to an international football match."

The DFB confirmed that its headquarters was among the sites searched and stated its full cooperation with authorities, acting as a witness in the proceedings. The association emphasized that "The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or officials" as accused parties.

Over 150 investigators were involved in the nationwide searches, underscoring the scale of the operation. The investigation also extends to Euro 2024Competition·Euro 2024 GmbH, the tournament organizer, a joint venture between the DFB and UEFACompetition·UEFA. Officials from the organizing entity reportedly offered host cities exclusive rights of first refusal for tickets, which were then utilized in various ways by the cities.

Herbert Reul, North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister, commented on the importance of maintaining public trust in major football events.

"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.

He further added, "We will not allow that trust to be damaged by a few invitations and tickets." The timing of these raids, shortly after the German national team's World Cup exit against Paraguay in the round of 32, has added to the scrutiny surrounding German football, though the corruption investigation is unrelated to the team's performance.