ARCHIV - 28.09.2018, Hessen, Frankfurt/Main: Reinhard Grindel (l), damals Präsident des Deutschen Fußball-Bundes (DFB), und Friedrich Curtius, damals DFB-Generalsekretär, kommen in der Zentrale des DFB zu einem Empfang für die Mitarbeiter. Am Vortag hatte die Uefa die Fußball-Europameisterschaft 2024 an Deutschland vergeben. (Zu dpa «Staatsanwaltschaft stellt Ermittlungen gegen Ex-DFB-Funktionäre ein») Foto: Arne Dedert/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

The public prosecutor’s office in Frankfurt has dropped the preliminary investigation against former DFB President Reinhard Grindel and former DFB Managing Director Friedrich Curtius in exchange for payment of a fine. On Thursday, the authority confirmed a corresponding report by the specialist magazine “Kicker” at the request of dpa.

The public prosecutor had investigated a total of six former football officials on suspicion of evading corporate and trade taxes for the benefit of others in particularly serious cases. In detail, it was about income from perimeter advertising in 2014 and 2015. In October 2020, there was a major raid with 200 officers in the Frankfurt association headquarters. At this point, the DFB had already paid the disputed 4.7 million euros in taxes.

According to “Kicker” information, Curtius agreed to the termination of the proceedings for reasons of procedural economy. Grindel told the newspaper: “All physical evidence and witness statements have shown that I am innocent.

When it came to the tax classification of perimeter advertising, I always relied on the advice of the DFB’s financial experts and consultants. I only consented to the dropping of the case for family and professional reasons to prevent long-term damage to my integrity.”