League manager in Bochum seeks assistance
In an unexpected turn of events, the Bochum district league club FC Azadi Bochum has fallen victim to a theft, with over 60 pieces of football equipment, including four jerseys, cones, vests, tactics boards, and more than 60 balls, mysteriously disappearing from a club garage between May 18 and May 21.
Despite no signs of forced entry, the circumstances suggest that the thief either had authorized access or found a way to enter undetected. The investigation is focusing on individuals familiar with the club’s premises, such as staff members, players, or those who might have duplicated keys or codes.
The club's board member, Ariya Avanloo, stated that "almost everything needed for operations" was taken, leaving the club in a challenging position. As a result, FC Azadi is seeking donations from members, supporters, and potentially other clubs to help raise funds for new equipment. Donations of any kind, including unused equipment, are warmly welcomed.
The club has been scouring online platforms like eBay and Vinted for stolen items, but the 'Azadi Bochum' branding on the equipment makes it unlikely that it would be resold. The police, however, were unable to identify any perpetrators, and the investigation led nowhere. The public prosecutor's office has since discontinued the proceedings.
FC Azadi is grateful for any leads and help from other clubs and friends. It's important to note that the club has not had problems with other clubs and generally gets along well with its peers. However, the club suspects that the theft was deliberate and aimed at harming the club.
The club's first team was not affected as their jerseys were not stored in the garage. The identity of the thief remains unknown to the club, and the club's management has not stated who specifically has keys to the garage where the equipment was stolen.
As the investigation continues, FC Azadi Bochum remains hopeful that the community will rally around them during this difficult time, ensuring that the club can continue to thrive and provide opportunities for local players to excel in the sport they love.
- General-news reports reveal that the police are focusing their investigation on individuals with access to FC Azadi Bochum's premises, as the stolen equipment could potentially be linked to staff members, players, or duplicates of keys or codes.
- Besides requesting donations from members and supporters to buy new sports equipment, FC Azadi Bochum has also raised the possibility of entering the sports-betting market as an alternative source of income to cover its losses due to the theft.
