German FA subject to major police raid just hours after World Cup exit

The police have carried out a major raid on Germany's football federation, the DFB, just hours after they were knocked out of the World Cup.

On Monday night, Julian Nagelsmann's men suffered an embarrassing penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay, who had qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.

The shootout drew huge controversy on social media, as multiple Germany players refused to take a penalty, before Jonathan Tah went on to blaze his decisive spot kick over the cross bar.

Tah's horribly taken penalty - the first of his professional career - was the consequence of several teammates hesitating and dodging 'the challenge' of stepping up to the plate when their country needed them most.

As a result, this is the third World Cup in a row where Germany have failed to progress beyond the last 16, avoiding a mouth-watering showdown against France in the process.

An early exit from the sport's most prestigious tournament isn't the only problem facing the country, though, as Germany's football federation were the subject of a major raid 36 hours after they were knocked out.

According to City AM, the raid on Wednesday morning involved more than 150 police officers searching the DFB offices in Frankfurt, as well as town halls in multiple cities which hosted matches at Euro 2024.

The investigation relates to whether officials from the cities received freebies, including match tickets, travel and hotel stays from the football federation during the tournament, with such actions classed as "bribery".

Speaking about the situation, Germany’s interior minister Herbert Reul said: “A football ticket is not part of a salary. Anyone in public service who holds out their hand can expect a visit from us.”

The report even claims that two individuals linked to the tournament’s organising committee were involved in handing out free tickets to Euro 2024 semi-final between Spain and France, with the police and prosecutors releasing a joint statement.

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"The subject of the investigation is allegedly granted unauthorised benefits – including in the form of attendance at an international football match – which an accused individual, who was working for a host city at the time, is said to have received from those responsible within the organising society.

“In addition, those responsible within the organizing society are alleged to have offered the host cities exclusive pre-emption rights (priority purchasing rights) for tickets, which were partially utilized by the host cities and used in various ways."

What Julian Nagelsmann said after Germany's defeat

While the DFB have a track record of controversy, most notably bribing Fifa officials to secure hosting rights to the 2006 World Cup, Germany's biggest concern is arguably on the pitch.

A defeat to Paraguay in the last 32 has drawn eyebrows over whether Nagelsmann is the right man to lead the nation into future tournaments, and the 38-year-old is certainly feeling the pressure.

"If you cannot beat Paraguay over 120 minutes then you are deservedly eliminated," he said after the game. "You should not depend on the opponents' luck or no luck."

He went even further, conceding that Germany can no longer be regarded among the world's elite. "If you are eliminated by Paraguay you are just not a first-class football team. I am very disappointed," he added.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been linked with the Germany job if Nagelsmann is dismissed following their disastrous World Cup exit and he is reportedly ready to takeover.