Former DFB German soccer federation presidents Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach face a trial for tax fraud amounting to 13.7 million euros for the benefit of the DFB in connection with the 2006 World Cup hosted by Germany, in Frankfurt, Germany, March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/Pool
FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) - Former German Football Association (DFB) presidents Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach went on trial along with a former secretary general on Monday, accused of tax evasion in connection with the 2006 World Cup hosted by Germany.
At the heart of this case that has dragged on through the legal system for years and has also included several other separate investigations, including a DFB-commissioned one, is a payment of 6.7 million euros ($7.27 million) linked to a 2006 World Cup-related event that never took place.
