October 16 – The German football federation (DFB) has claimed that it has already paid 2019 taxes related to advertising income after reaching an agreement with tax authorities. Six DFB officials are currently under investigation for tax evasion.
Last week, German prosecutors and tax authorities raided the headquarters of the DFB in Frankfurt as well as private homes from current and former German football administrators on the suspicion of serious tax evasion.
The prosecutors’ office in Frankfurt said the six, who have not been named, were suspected of having intentionally falsely declared income from advertising inside stadiums during matches in 2014 and 2015 as income from asset management, leading to an evasion of €4.7 million of tax.
In a statement, the DFB however contests the prosecutor’s claims following the presentation of an internal interim report. “What is clear is that on the issue of taxation of revenues from ad banners, there was already an understanding with the tax office since March 2019 and the DFB as a consequence paid all the relevant taxes,” said the DFB in a statement.
“The DFB had also since March 2019 without being requested to do so provided the Frankfurt prosecutors’ office with all the known documents in this process and had expressed its complete cooperation.”
The investigation is the latest scandal to rock the German governing body. Former DFB presidents Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach were the subject of investigation in relation to a suspected misuse of 2006 World Cup funds. Earlier this year, the much anticipated 2006 World Cup fraud trial in Switzerland collapsed, allowing Zwanziger, Niersbach and Horst Schmidt as well to escape a verdict.
“We continue to be convinced of the innocence of those responsible,” said DFB president Fritz Keller, who previously indicated that the German FA is cooperating fully with authorities. “The damage to the reputation for those involved as well as the DFB… shocks me personally.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713506514labto1713506514ofdlr1713506514owedi1713506514sni@o1713506514fni1713506514