German police raid DFB and city offices over Euro 2024 ticket corruption allegations
Authorities searched the German football federation HQ and host city administrations nationwide on Wednesday, investigating suspected bribery tied to preferential Euro 2024 ticket allocations.
Search operation across Germany
Police and prosecutors executed searches at the Frankfurt headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) and at municipal offices in Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Gelsenkirchen. The raids, involving more than 150 officers, were part of a corruption probe linked to the 2024 European Championship hosted by Germany.
The core allegations
Investigators suspect that employees of host cities received improper benefits from organisers of Euro 2024. According to a joint statement by Bochum prosecutors and North Rhine-Westphalia police, the case focuses on "alleged unauthorised favours including attendance to a football game" that a suspect working for a host city allegedly accepted from officials of the organising entity. Organisers are also accused of offering host cities exclusive pre-purchase rights for tickets, some of which were exercised.
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.
Two suspects identified
The Bild newspaper reported that the probe centres on a 66-year-old German national, a former employee of the Gelsenkirchen city administration, and a 46-year-old French national responsible for host-city relations within Euro 2024 GmbH. The German suspect is alleged to have received tickets, travel and hotel benefits worth €2,400, including a ticket to the Spain–France semi-final in Munich. Bild added that several thousand tickets may have been distributed internally to preferred guests during the tournament.
DFB responds as a witness
The DFB confirmed its Frankfurt offices had been searched but stressed it is not a target. In an emailed statement, the federation said: "The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or officials. Rather, the DFB is involved in these proceedings solely as a witness and has pledged full cooperation with the authorities."
The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or officials. Rather, the DFB is involved in these proceedings solely as a witness and has pledged full cooperation with the authorities.
A troubled moment for German football
The revelation came two days after Germany were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by Paraguay in the round of 16 on penalties, deepening the pressure on the DFB. The Euro 2024 tournament, organised by Euro 2024 GmbH (a joint venture of the DFB and Uefa), ran in June and July 2024 with Spain lifting the trophy. Authorities declined to say whether the suspects have yet commented on the accusations.
