Investigation into Euro 2024 ticket irregularities
German police and prosecutors have launched a widespread investigation into alleged corruption linked to the 2024 European Championship, conducting raids on the national football federation (DFB) headquarters and multiple city administrations. The probe focuses on claims that officials received unauthorized favors, including preferential access to tournament tickets.
Prosecutors in Bochum and police in North Rhine-Westphalia confirmed the operation, which targeted various locations across the country. Reports suggest that over 150 officers were involved in the searches, which spanned cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Munich. The investigation centers on allegations that several thousand tickets were illegally allocated to preferred guests rather than the general public.
Public trust at stake
The DFB confirmed its Frankfurt offices were searched but stated it is acting solely as a witness and is cooperating fully with authorities. The investigation specifically examines a 66-year-old German national and a 46-year-old French national suspected of bribery. One specific case under scrutiny involves a former Gelsenkirchen city employee who allegedly received ticket, travel, and hotel benefits valued at €2,400.
Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, emphasized the severity of the situation. “Major events like the European football championship rely on public trust,” Reul stated. “We will not allow that trust to be damaged by a few invitations and tickets.”