01.07.2026 19:30
Searches were conducted across Germany, including at the DFB headquarters, on suspicion of irregularities in ticketing and hospitality services during the 2024 European Football Championship in Germany. As part of the investigation, a municipal employee is alleged to have obtained undue benefits.
Searches were conducted across Germany, including at the headquarters of the German Football Federation (DFB), on suspicion of irregularities in ticketing and hospitality services at the 2024 European Football Championship (EURO 2024) held in Germany.
INVESTIGATION INTO TICKET IRREGULARITIES IN GERMANY
In a joint statement by the Bochum Public Prosecutor's Office and the North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office (LKA NRW), it was reported that searches were carried out at numerous addresses across the country as part of the investigation into irregularities in ticketing and hospitality services at EURO 2024.
According to information from law enforcement, more than 100 police officers participated in the raid on the DFB's headquarters in Frankfurt. No official statement has yet been made by the DFB or the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) regarding the operation. At the center of the investigation is the allegation that a municipal employee working in Gelsenkirchen, one of the tournament's host cities, obtained improper benefits from organizing committee officials. The suspect is alleged to have received "unauthorized privileges" worth approximately 2,400 euros, including participation in an international football match, travel, and luxury hotel accommodations.
ALLEGATIONS ARE SERIOUS
According to reports in the German press, the investigation has found that organizing committee officials offered host cities "special pre-emption rights" for tickets in violation of regulations, and that some city administrations used these rights to allocate tickets for different purposes.
It was noted that this ticket fraud operation took place at a time when German football was going through a turbulent period.
While the German national football team's early exit from the World Cup after losing to Paraguay caused great controversy in the country, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's social media post praising the team despite the defeat drew public backlash.