German police have conducted a raid on the headquarters of the DFB football federation in Frankfurt as part of an investigation into alleged corruption related to the Euro 2024 tournament. The operation is centered on accusations of 'unauthorized favours' involving city employees who were improperly invited to matches or received preferential treatment in obtaining tickets.

According to a joint statement from prosecutors in Bochum and police in North Rhine-Westphalia, the investigations concern alleged unauthorised favours, including attendance at football games, that were reportedly given to individuals working for host cities. These individuals are said to have received benefits from officials of the organizing entity.

While the DFB was not directly implicated in the allegations, it confirmed that its headquarters had been searched and stated that it is cooperating fully with the authorities. The investigation does not concern the DFB as an organization or any individual employees, but the federation is involved as a witness.

Euro 2024, which took place in June and July 2024, was organized by Euro 2024 GmbH, a joint venture between the DFB and UEFA. Reports indicate that several city administrations, including those in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Munich, were also searched during the raids, which involved over 150 officers.

Bild, a German newspaper, reported that the inquiries relate to suspected bribery involving a 66-year-old German national and a 46-year-old French national. Allegations suggest that several thousand tickets may have been illegally allocated to preferred guests during the tournament. The German national, previously an employee of the Gelsenkirchen city administration, is suspected of receiving tickets, travel, and hotel benefits worth approximately €2,400.

Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, emphasized the importance of public trust in major events like the European Championship, stating that any public sector employee who seeks personal gain through such means will face consequences. The integrity of the sport and the authorities involved must be preserved, he added.