German police raid national football HQ over Euro 2024 corruption allegations

Police in Germany have raided the national football federation headquarters and other sites across the country as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving “unauthorised favours” linked to the 2024 European Championship . The case focuses on accusations that employees of cities in Germany , which hosted the tournament, were improperly invited to matches or given preferential treatment in acquiring tickets. In a joint statement, prosecutors in the city of Bochum and police in North Rhine-Westphalia state said: “The investigations concern alleged unauthorised favours including attendance to a football game among others that an accused individual, who was working for a host city at the time, is said to have received from officials of the organising entity. “In addition, the host cities are said to have been offered exclusive pre-purchase rights for tickets by those responsible at the organising entity.” The statement did not mention the DFB football federation by name but it later confirmed its Frankfurt headquarters had been searched. “The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or ‌officials,” it said in an emailed statement sent to Reuters. “Rather, the DFB is involved in these proceedings solely as a witness and has pledged full cooperation with the authorities.“ Euro 2024 took place in cities across Germany in June and July 2024 with Spain winning the competition. …