German Football Association HQ searched over Euro 2024 corruption suspicions

The headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt was searched on Wednesday as part of a corruption investigation into the organization of the Euro 2024 football tournament. The DFB confirmed the search to AFP, with German authorities stating the investigation extends to other locations across the country.

The core of the investigation reportedly centers on preferential ticket allocations to host cities. According to the public prosecutor's office in Bochum and German police, a suspect working for a host city allegedly received "unauthorized benefits" from individuals responsible within the Euro 2024 organizing company. Furthermore, several officials are accused of offering "exclusive pre-emption rights on tickets" to host cities, some of which were exercised.

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unauthorized benefits

The organizing company for Euro 2024 was a joint venture between the DFB and UEFA, with UEFA holding the majority stake. The company was based in the DFB's former premises in Frankfurt. The German prosecutor's office declined to provide further details on the case or the other searched locations. German newspaper Bild reported that municipal administrations in Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Munich, as well as various companies, are implicated.

This announcement comes just two days after Germany's surprising exit from the 2026 World Cup, an event that has generated significant public reaction within the country. The DFB and UEFA have not yet commented on the accusations.

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having offered host cities exclusive pre-emption rights on tickets, some of which have been partially used