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The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Case closed against former German FA chief Zwanziger over 2006 World Cup payment, no verdict announced
A 10-year-long legal case against former German Football Association (DFB) President Theo Zwanziger over a multi-million Euro payment linked to the 2006 World Cup ended on Wednesday in a Frankfurt court. Why was Zwanziger implicated? Zwanziger was implicated in a scandal related to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, including allegations of tax evasion and a secret fund to secure votes for Germany to host the tournament. A payment of €6.7 million made in April 2005 was falsely reported, which tarnished the image of the global showpiece event held in Germany. The scandal also dented the reputation of the DFB, the world's largest single sports federation with more than seven million active members. Frankfurt's regional court on Wednesday closed the case, ordering Zwanziger to pay a 10,000-euro fine and officially discharging him. This means there will be no verdict, and legal proceedings against the former DFB chief are over. 'I am happy with the decision, and I can now walk with my head held high,' Zwanziger told reporters. At the heart of a case that dragged through the legal system and involved several other separate investigations is a payment of 6.7 million euros linked to a 2006 World Cup-related event that never took place. Who are the others involved in the case? Zwanziger, his successor Wolfgang Niersbach, who resigned as DFB president in 2015 as a result of the affair, and former Secretary General Horst Schmidt had all been accused of arranging for incorrect tax returns submitted for 2006 to enable the DFB to avoid paying millions in taxes. None of the three accused were found guilty, with the cases against Niersbach and Schmidt having been closed earlier. The tax return included a 6.7 million euro payment from the DFB to world football's governing body FIFA for the 2006 World Cup, although the funds were actually used for another purpose and should not have been offset against tax, prosecutors had said. The payment triggered investigations over allegations it had been used as a slush fund to buy votes in favour of Germany's bid to host the 2006 tournament. A DFB-commissioned investigation in 2016 had said the sum was the return of a loan via FIFA from former Adidas chief Robert Louis-Dreyfus. The German tax office ordered the DFB in 2017 to pay more than 20 million euros in back taxes related to the year 2006. Host country Germany reached the semi-finals in the 2006 World Cup, where it was defeated by Italy 2-0. It ultimately finished in third place after defeating Portugal 3-1 in the third-place playoff.
CNA
30-04-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Case closed against former German FA chief over 2006 World Cup payment
FRANKFURT, Germany : A years-long legal case against former German Football Association (DFB) President Theo Zwanziger over a multi-million euro payment linked to the 2006 World Cup ended on Wednesday in a Frankfurt court. The case regarding a payment of 6.7 million euros ($7.6 million) made two decades ago tarnished the image of the global showpiece event held in Germany. The tournament had been nicknamed the "summer fairytale" because of the home team's run to the semi-finals, and the sold-out stadiums and outdoor viewing areas across the country which attracted hundreds of thousands of fans. The scandal also dented the reputation of the DFB, the world's largest single sports federation with more than seven million active members. Frankfurt's regional court on Wednesday closed the case, ordering Zwanziger to pay a 10,000-euro fine and officially discharging him. This means there will be no verdict and legal proceedings against the former DFB chief are over. "I am happy with the decision and I can now walk with my head held high," Zwanziger told reporters. At the heart of a case that dragged through the legal system and involved several other separate investigations is a payment of 6.7 million euros linked to a 2006 World Cup-related event that never took place. Zwanziger, his successor Wolfgang Niersbach, who resigned as DFB president in 2015 as a result of the affair, and former Secretary General Horst Schmidt had all been accused of arranging for incorrect tax returns submitted for 2006 to enable the DFB to avoid paying millions in taxes. None of the three accused were found guilty, with the cases against Niersbach and Schmidt having been closed earlier. The tax return included a 6.7 million euro payment from the DFB to world soccer's governing body FIFA for the 2006 World Cup, although the funds were actually used for another purpose and should not have been offset against tax, prosecutors had said. The payment triggered investigations over allegations it had been used as a slush fund to buy votes in favour of Germany's bid to host the 2006 tournament. A DFB-commissioned investigation in 2016 had said the sum was the return of a loan via FIFA from former Adidas chief Robert Louis-Dreyfus. The German tax office ordered the DFB in 2017 to pay more than 20 million euros in back taxes related to the year 2006.
Al-Ahram Weekly
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Voeller extends Germany role until Euro 2028 - World
Rudi Voeller, a World Cup winner with Germany in 1990, has extended his contract as sporting director of the national team until Euro 2028, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Wednesday, continuing his work alongside coach Julian Nagelsmann. The extension to the 64-year-old's contract was signed at the end of March in the wake of Germany's win over Italy which sent them through to the semi-finals of the Nations League. "The national team and the whole team within the DFB have become very dear to my heart," Voeller said in a press release. "The enthusiasm of the Euro 2024 home tournament, and above all the collaboration with Julian Nagelsmann, have played a big part in this." Voeller was appointed sporting director in February 2023, taking over briefly as interim coach following the sacking of Hansi Flick in September that year. Under his charge, Germany beat France 2-1 in a friendly. He then formed part of the task force to find a successor to Flick, strongly arguing for Nagelsmann. The former Bayern coach has already signed an extension to his contract that will take him through to Euro 2028. Germany went on to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, where they lost 2-1 to eventual winners Spain in extra-time, and now face Portugal in the Nations League semi-final on June 4 in Munich. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Voeller extends Germany role until Euro 2028
Rudi Voller (R) will continue his partnershipp with Julian Nagelsmann (L) with the German national team at least until Euro 2028 (ALEX GRIMM) Rudi Voeller, a World Cup winner with Germany in 1990, has extended his contract as sporting director of the national team until Euro 2028, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Wednesday, continuing his work alongside coach Julian Nagelsmann. Advertisement The extension to the 64-year-old's contract was signed at the end of March in the wake of Germany's win over Italy which sent them through to the semi-finals of the Nations League. "The national team and the whole team within the DFB have become very dear to my heart," Voeller said in a press release. "The enthusiasm of the Euro 2024 home tournament, and above all the collaboration with Julian Nagelsmann, have played a big part in this." Voeller was appointed sporting director in February 2023, taking over briefly as interim coach following the sacking of Hansi Flick in September that year. Advertisement Under his charge, Germany beat France 2-1 in a friendly. He then formed part of the task force to find a successor to Flick, strongly arguing for Nagelsmann. The former Bayern coach has already signed an extension to his contract that will take him through to Euro 2028. Germany went on to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, where they lost 2-1 to eventual winners Spain in extra-time, and now face Portugal in the Nations League semi-final on June 4 in Munich. tba/smr/bsp/iwd
Reuters
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Germany team director Voller extends contract until Euro 2028: German FA
BERLIN, April 9 (Reuters) - The German Football Association (DFB) said on Wednesday that national team director Rudi Voeller will remain in his role until Euro 2028 after signing a contract extension. A former World Cup winner as a player who also coached Germany from 2000-2004, Voeller took the position in 2023 and was also interim manager for one game following the departure of Hansi Flick in September that year. He will now continue working with coach Julian Nagelsmann, who in January also extended his deal until 2028. "I'm really looking forward to continuing on the path we've taken with Julian and his team until the next Euro – the path back to sporting success and into the hearts of the fans in Germany," Voeller said in a statement. "We've already made great progress. But we're not yet where we want to be." Germany reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 on home soil, their first solid tournament run in a decade. The U.S., Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup while England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are co-hosting the 2028 European Championship.
