Football in crisis: Now German HQ raided over 2006 World Cup payments

Police have raided the headquarters of the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt over payments made to FIFA in connection with the 2006 World Cup. The homes of DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach and former president Theo Zwanziger were also raided, along with that of former general secretary Horst R. Schmidt. More than 50 police officers and tax inspectors took part in the operation. Frankfurt prosecutor Nadja Nisen said the DFB was being investigated on suspicion of “serious tax evasion” and the “transfer of €6.7m (£4.87m)… to the FIFA football association”.

The payment was in no way connected with obtaining the (World Cup) five years earlier.

German Football Association

The DFB, which was not available for comment, has admitted paying about £4.87m to FIFA in 2005 but denies it was to buy votes for its successful 2006 World Cup bid. It has, however, admitted the money “may potentially not have been used for the intended purpose”. Former footballer Franz Beckenbauer. who was president of the 2006 World Cup bid, last week admitted the DFB had made a “mistake” in paying the £4.87m, but also denied it was to buy votes. He said: “In order to obtain financial support from FIFA, a suggestion by FIFA’s finance commission was followed which, in hindsight, should have been rejected.”

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