Fireworks Flying at the Summer Fairy Tale Trial: The DFB's Fate Hangs in the Balance
Before the arguments in the summer fairy trial, the proceedings are about to commence.
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Eagerly awaited by the end of the month, the verdict in the Summer Fairy Tale trial could see the DFB slapped with a hefty fine. With closing arguments looming, the prosecution and DFB's defense have engaged in a fiery verbal skirmish ahead of the trial's climax.
Following 32 days of heated debates, the justice system is preparing for the final phase. The closing arguments are set for June 23, with the verdict to be delivered on June 25. The DFB is currently on the defensive, accused of tax evasion totaling around 2.7 million euros. Despite vehement denials from the DFB's defense, Judge Eva-Marie Distler has left no doubt about the validity of the tax evasion charge.
The Court's Corruption Conviction
While the initial three defendants - Theo Zwanziger, Wolfgang Niersbach, and Horst R. Schmidt - are no longer part of the proceedings, their guilt has already been established. The court has deemed the mystery 6.7 million euros, previously billed by the DFB as expenditure for a nonexistent WM gala, to be a bribe payment. It's believed that the payment was made upon instruction from WM chief Franz Beckenbauer, intended to corrupt members of the then FIFA finance committee, including Mohamed bin Hammam.
The motive behind this corruption was to secure eventual World Cup grant money of 170 million euros from FIFA. The 6.7 million euros were transferred via FIFA to former Adidas CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus in 2005. This amount had originally flowed to bin Hammam as an advance from Louis-Dreyfus in 2002 to Qatar. The DFB had recorded this transfer as an operating expense in 2006, leading to a retroactive revocation of their tax-exempt status and 22 million euros in back taxes.
DFB's Appeal for Tax Refund and Damages
In an effort to retrieve its tax payments, the DFB is planning to protest the verdict at the Finance Court in Kassel. The outcome of the Regional Court trial is crucial for this occupation. In addition, the DFB has filed a lawsuit against Zwanziger to claim potential damages.
This high-stakes showdown between the DFB and the legal system is poised to create ripples throughout the world of German football, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final verdict is announced.
Source: ntv.de, ara/sid
As the heat builds in the Summer Fairy Tale trial, the DFB stands ready to face scrutiny and potential fines for their suspected role in evading taxes. The trial is entering its final stages, with closing arguments set for June 23 and the verdict to follow on June 25. The defense has vehemently denied the allegations, but Judge Eva-Marie Distler has been clear about the evidence against them. Corruption charges involving a bribe payment have also been levied against top DFB officials, with the money traced back to former Adidas CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus and FIFA. The DFB is currently contesting their tax payments at the Finance Court in Kassel and has also sued former DFB official Theo Zwanziger for potential damages. With the stakes so high, the final weeks of this trial are sure to bring fireworks.
- The community policy regarding legal proceedings in light of the ongoing Summer Fairy Tale trial may need an update, as the German Football Association (DFB) faces scrutiny for alleged tax evasion and corruption charges.
- Amidst the discussion of the Summer Fairy Tale trial, it's worth noting that the crime-and-justice section of the general-news platforms has been extensively covering the DFB's tax evasion case of around 2.7 million euros.
- Meanwhile, the sporting world, particularly football enthusiasts, keep an eye on the Summer Fairy Tale trial, as it progresses; the outcome could have implications for the European leagues, including the Champions League, as funds for German football may be at stake.
