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.
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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