Corruption scandal around Euro 2024: DFB headquarters in Frankfurt searched

German authorities conducted extensive searches on Wednesday in connection with the organization of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. More than 150 investigators searched the German Football Association (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt and several city administrations of Euro 2024 host cities. The investigation focuses on suspicions that officials were given match tickets and hotel accommodation invitations illegally.

German police launched a major anti-corruption operation on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, connected to the organization of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. Searches were conducted in several major German cities, and during the operation investigators also reached the German Football Association (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt.

Over 150 investigators in ten cities

The operation involved more than 150 police investigators working simultaneously in Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich and Leipzig. In addition to the football association's headquarters, investigators searched several host city administrations and three separate companies that may be connected to the investigation.

Under investigators' scrutiny are two individuals: a 66-year-old German citizen and a 46-year-old French citizen. The latter worked for Euro 2024 GmbH, a joint venture established by the DFB and UEFA to organize the tournament.

Tickets and hotels for public officials

According to the suspicion, the 46-year-old French businessman invited officials from several host cities to Euro 2024 matches, offering them free tickets and covering travel and accommodation costs. As a concrete example, the investigation highlights a case where an employee of Gelsenkirchen city administration received an invitation to a semi-final match between Spain and France, with travel and accommodation valued at approximately €2,400.

Authorities are now investigating whether such gifts violate Germany's anti-corruption laws, which prohibit public sector employees from accepting gifts of substantial value.

Minister: corruption will not be tolerated

North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul emphasized that public sector employees are not permitted to accept valuable gifts or free tickets. "All possible corruption cases must be thoroughly investigated," said Reul.

Euro 2024 took place in Germany in June-July 2024 and the championship was contested by 24 national teams. The tournament was won by Spain, who defeated England in the final.