DFB Files €24 Million Lawsuit Against Former President Theo Zwanziger
The lawsuit seeks damages related to financial losses from the 2006 World Cup scandal, with Zwanziger remaining the sole defendant in the ongoing legal proceedings.
- The German Football Association (DFB) has filed a €24 million lawsuit against its former president, Theo Zwanziger, citing financial damages linked to the 2006 World Cup 'Sommermärchen' scandal.
- The case focuses on a €6.7 million payment made in 2005, allegedly misclassified as a business expense, which led to the DFB losing its tax-exempt status for 2006 and facing over €13 million in back taxes.
- Zwanziger is the last remaining defendant in the ongoing legal process after cases against other former officials were resolved or postponed due to health concerns.
- The DFB's lawsuit is partly intended to preserve potential claims before they expire, as Zwanziger and other officials did not renew agreements waiving the statute of limitations for 2025.
- Zwanziger and his legal team have dismissed the allegations, maintaining that there was no wrongdoing and expressing confidence in the legal process to resolve the matter.
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