Overview

• 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.