Fake mascot at the European Football Championship: Youtuber Marvin Wildhage sentenced to a fine

The web video producer has the Forgery of documents and obtaining benefits by fraud guilty, the judge at the Munich District Court explained her verdict.

She followed the public prosecutor’s request. The defense attorney, on the other hand, pleaded for an acquittal because Wildhage had made great personal contributions to ensure the safety of the games.

Wildhage defended action as investigative journalism

The YouTuber had his action personally at the beginning of the process defended as investigative journalism. “I see it as my job to draw attention to grievances and to bring them to the public.”

From a classical perspective, his videos may be an unusual format. “But that still doesn’t change the fact that my work is nothing other than investigative journalism.”

The trained journalist was inside the stadium without authorization at the opening game of the European Football Championship in June 2024 using a fake mascot costume and fake accreditations. The verdict is not yet final.