The former agricultural businessman from Aachen was voted president of the Middle Rhine Football Association in 1973. Braun became the treasurer of the DFB four years later. He held that post up until his election as DFB president in 1992. He chaired the national football association for nine years. He played an important role in the successful application to hold the 2006 World Cup in Germany and he founded the Egidius Braun Foundation that primarily focuses on social integration at home and abroad.
"Egidius Braun always impressed me from when I first accompanied him to an orphanage in Mexico during an international match trip in 1985," recalls Rudi Völler, sporting managing director at Bayer 04. "Back then it was aid for Mexico and now it's the Egidius Braun Foundation – his lifetime achievement – where I have been on the advisory board for many years. We had a very close relationship due to that. Egidius Braun will never be forgotten either as a person or based on his social achievements. I will like to express my deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
In honour of the DFB honorary president Egidius Braun, the Werkself will wear black armbands in the Europa League match against Atalanta. The game at the BayArena on Thursday 17 March kicks off at 18.45 CET.
With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
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Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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