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Euro 2024 took place in cities across Germany in June and July 2024.
Germany were knocked out from the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the round of 32. (AP Photo)
German investigators on Wednesday raided the headquarters of the country’s football association and several other locations as part of a corruption investigation linked to the Euro 2024 tournament.
The probe focuses on allegations that employees of German host cities were illegally invited to matches and received tickets from tournament organisers on preferential terms, according to police and prosecutors.
The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed that its headquarters in Frankfurt was among the locations searched.
Authorities did not identify the other sites involved. However, the Bild tabloid reported that investigators also searched several city administrations, including those in Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich, as well as companies.
“The subject of the investigation is unauthorised benefits that were allegedly granted, including in the form of attendance at an international football match,” police and prosecutors in North Rhine-Westphalia state said in a statement.
According to the statement, a suspect employed by one of the host cities is accused of receiving these benefits “from persons responsible at the organising company.”
“In addition, the host cities are said to have been offered exclusive pre-purchase rights for tickets by those responsible at the organising company.”
Euro 2024 was held across cities in Germany in June and July 2024.
News of the investigation emerged two days after four-time champions Germany suffered a shock World Cup exit, losing to minnows Paraguay in a penalty shootout.
If you’d like, I can also make it read more like a Reuters or AP dispatch while preserving every fact and quote.
With AFP Inputs
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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