German authorities conducted nationwide searches on Wednesday, targeting the German Football Association (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt and several city halls over suspected bribery and illicit hospitality perks tied to the Euro 2024 tournament.
More than 150 officers from the Bochum prosecutors' office and North Rhine-Westphalia state police took part in the operation, according to reports by Bild and Reuters.
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Investigators are probing allegations that thousands of match tickets and exclusive hotel invitations were illegally distributed to preferred guests during the European Championship hosted by Germany two years ago.
Search warrants were executed in Gelsenkirchen, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Leipzig.
The investigation focuses on a 66-year-old German national, a former Gelsenkirchen city administration employee, and a 46-year-old French national accused of facilitating structured preferential treatment.
The French suspect allegedly invited former heads of Euro 2024 host city offices to top-tier matches, while the German suspect is being investigated regarding the Spain-France semifinal in Munich.
Unauthorized benefits including tournament tickets, travel, and hotel accommodations valued at €2,400 (£2,000) were unlawfully received by public sector employees, investigators said.
The DFB confirmed its central offices were searched but clarified that the organization itself is not a target of the corruption probe.
"The investigation concerns neither the DFB as an organisation nor any individual employees or officials," the DFB stated.
"Rather, the DFB is involved in these proceedings solely as a witness and has pledged full cooperation with the authorities."
