Authorities raid German cities and DFB headquarters over suspected corruption involving discounted Euro 2024 tickets.

German authorities have launched a sweeping investigation into alleged corruption tied to the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2024). Raids were conducted across multiple cities, including the headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt. The probe, led by the Bochum Public Prosecutor’s Office and the North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office (LKA NRW), focuses on allegations of preferential treatment and bribery involving thousands of discounted tickets distributed to city administrations.

Investigators suspect that employees of various city administrations received thousands of Euro 2024 tickets at reduced prices. These tickets were reportedly used in different ways by the cities, raising questions about potential misuse. Authorities have also identified a 66-year-old former employee of the city of Gelsenkirchen as a key figure in the investigation. He allegedly received a financial benefit of approximately €2,400 by attending the Spain vs. France semifinal match in Munich as part of his official duties. The individual, who has a prior record of fraud-related offenses, is no longer employed by the city.

The investigation has also uncovered potential evidence of systematic preferential treatment orchestrated by the Euro 2024 GmbH, a subsidiary of UEFA Events SA and DFB EURO GmbH. This entity, established to organize the tournament, reportedly allocated thousands of tickets for internal use to the ten host cities. Authorities are now examining whether these tickets and invitations to matches were improperly accepted or distributed.

The raids are ongoing, and the accused parties have not yet had the opportunity to respond to the allegations. Officials emphasize that the presumption of innocence applies to all individuals involved. The scandal has cast a shadow over the preparations for Euro 2024, a tournament expected to draw millions of fans to Germany next summer.