DFB rubberstamps decision to bid for Euro finals in 2024

The German football association (DFB) board yesterday voted unanimously in favour of the country’s long-planned bid to host Euro 2024.

The DFB, which announced its intention to bid for the continental tournament several years ago, said it would hand in the official bid notification to UEFA by March 3.

“Euro 2024 can become an important beacon for German football,” DFB president Reinhard Grindel said.

Grindel was elected last year after the resignation of Wolfgang Niersbach due to his involvement in Germany’s 2006 World Cup scandal.

“We will submit a first-class bid and take special care to chose the 10 locations in a transparent and accountable way,” Grindel said.

Only stadiums with a capacity of more than 30,000 people can take part in a selection process with a submission of interest by February 17. A final decision on the 10 locations will be taken by the DFB in September.

The association’s reputation has been severely damaged by the 2006 World Cup scandal with investigations ongoing in Germany and Switzerland into payments to world soccer’s governing body FIFA from the DFB after Germany won the right to stage the event.

A DFB-commissioned report revealed last year that while...