A Tumultuous Farewell: Wollitz Accuses Krauß of Match-Fixing Allegations
Coach Wollitz alleges financial misconduct by his own staff member.
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A stormy end to the season for Energy Cottbus as Maximilian Krauß is shown the door. Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz makes shocking claims, Krauß responds defiantly. In a twist of fate, Cottbus secures a playoff spot.
In mid-February, Maximilian Krauß is still the star man for Energy Cottbus. He comes on as a substitute against SC Verl and scores the decisive goal in the 59th minute. Cottbus sits atop the 3rd league table, and the dream of a second consecutive promotion in Lausitz remains alive. Just over three months later, the joy turns sour, and Krauß shifts from hero to outcast.
His former coach, Claus-Dieter Wollitz, calls him "that guy" who "has officially left Energy Cottbus but is not mine anymore" in an interview with MagentaSport. These words mark the low point in an unfortunate situation that seems to only lead to losers.
The biggest loser at the moment is Maximilian Krauß. For most of the season, the 28-year-old is a regular starter for Energy, scoring eight goals and providing five assists. Now, Wollitz reports that his teammates have removed the letter "K" from Krauß's locker: "It now reads 'rauß.' I think that speaks for itself." The catalyst for this invasion is Krauß's decision not to renew his expiring contract. Instead, he signs with Hansa Rostock for the next season.
Wollitz Throws around Match-Fixing Scandal Accusations
Rostock is not only Cottbus's rival in the fight for third place, which guarantees a promotion/relegation play-off against the third-last team in the second league, but also their forthcoming opponent. For Wollitz, the scandal revolves not around the transfer itself, but the timing: "I find the timing of Monday disrespectful towards Cottbus' employer and disrespectful to the teammates." Krauß is suspended, and Wollitz makes the transfer and suspension public, accusing the midfielder of grave misconduct.
Wollitz even hints at match-fixing, recalling a similar incident in 2009 at VfL Osnabrück. The Lower Saxony team was relegated in part because at least one player intentionally played poorly for money. Both players were later banned.
Wollitz's evidence for the allegation: "Until the 24th matchday, Krauß was the best substitute in the league." On the 24th matchday, Krauß scored the winning goal as a substitute against Verl. "From that point on," Wollitz claims, "the numbers aren't exactly impressive." He suggests that Krauß's speed and overall effort have dropped dramatically.
Footnote: Wollitz also hints that Krauß picked up his fifth yellow card against Verl in added time, which would result in his suspension for the subsequent away game. Krauß may have purposefully received the yellow card to avoid missing his mother's birthday. However, Wollitz, known for his emotional outbursts and once referring to himself as a "justice seeker," does not provide any concrete evidence or proof to support these accusations. There is no apology or retraction offered later on.
Wollitz needs Proof toBack up his Allegations Against Krauß
Between his outburst in the press conference and his pre-match comments in Rostock, Krauß also defends himself publicly via Third League media partner MagentaSport, denying claims that could potentially destroy his career. "I'm stunned by my coach's baseless statements," he says, presenting his side of the story. "We wanted contractual certainty until the end of April, which we achieved with our agreement last Monday. The Cottbus offer didn't offer us the 'unconditional desire' we were seeking."
Footnote: In Rostock, Wollitz counters by stating he "stuck to the facts professionally" and "never made any claims, just reporting what I was told." However, if these accusations - reduced performance, intentional yellow card for a private event, and comparison to match-fixers - cannot be proven, Wollitz should be under scrutiny. He should have the burden not just for the severity of his accusations, but also for the facts themselves.
By the way, Cottbus manages to pull off a surprising 3-1 win in Rostock. It is their fourth victory since the Verl match and their fourth win in 13 attempts. Energy overtakes Rostock and Saarbrücken, who both lose at home, moving into third place. With a home win next week, Wollitz's team can secure a spot in the 2. Bundesliga promotion playoffs. The tension is palpable.
Source: ntv.de
- Claus-Dieter Wollitz
- Energie Cottbus
- Football
- Hansa Rostock
- Transfers and Rumors
- 3. Liga
Footnote: Based on the information provided, there is no evidence or discussion in the public domain about the validity of Wollitz's match-fixing claims against Krauß. Therefore, the accusations cannot be assessed for their accuracy.
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. In football, the severity of allegations against Maximilian Krauß is a topic of discussion following his transfer to Hansa Rostock. Claus-Dieter Wollitz, Krauß's former coach at Energy Cottbus, accuses him of match-fixing. However, there is no evidence or discussion in the public domain about the validity of Wollitz's match-fixing claims against Krauß. The tension remains palpable as Cottbus fights for a promotion/relegation play-off spot in Lausitz.
