3. Football League Drama: Cottbus Benches Player Due to Alleged Secret Deal with Rostock
Rostock's accord led to Cottbus's temporary suspension of a player. - Player Suspension in Cottbus
Here's the lowdown on the latest in Third League football. Energie Cottbus' star player, Maximilian Krauß, has been kicked off the team until the end of the season due to some serious turmoil behind the scenes. You won't find the exact reasons in any official statements, but Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz isn't mincing words about the player's recent dismal performances and the timing of his controversial move.
Wollitz wasn't happy about Max (28) signing a contract with Hansa Rostock, Cottbus' bitter rival, just five days before the highly anticipated East derby—both teams are chasing the promotion spot. The coach views the player's action as disrespectful to the squad and the club, hinting at a breach of trust.
Max admitted to the deal, revealing he'd been in talks with Hansa for weeks. However, Wollitz wasn't pleased with how the player handled the communication, expressing annoyance over the whole situation.
The stakes couldn't be higher for both teams. Rostock is currently fourth with 60 points, while Cottbus trails with 59 points, only a win away from losing their shot at promotion and getting knocked out of the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
Was Krauß's suspension all about missing his mother's birthday?
Max joined Cottbus in February 2021 and has been a valuable asset to the team, scoring eight goals this season, playing a significant role in their fight for a promotion spot. His performance seems to have taken a dive since the 24th matchday, and according to Wollitz, that's when Krauß apparently decided to switch teams.
Wollitz claimed that Max intentionally earned his fifth yellow card on the 24th matchday, so he could miss the game the weekend after, when his mother's birthday was scheduled. The coach presented video analysis from the match against Haching as evidence, pointing out instances where Max's speed seemed to have dropped significantly.
- Cottbus
- Rostock
- Energie Cottbus
- Hansa Rostock
- Suspension
- Promotion spot
- Mother
- Employer
Sources: 1 Lausitzer Rundschau podcast, 2 Football News, 3 Daily Mail, 4 Sportskeeda, 5 ESPN
- The football league drama continues with the suspension of Maximilian Krauß from Energie Cottbus, allegedly due to a secret deal with their bitter rival, Hansa Rostock.
- Max admitted to the deal but described the communication as unclear, prompting Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz's frustration.
- Max's intentionally earned suspension, reportedly timed around his mother's birthday, has raised questions about his loyalty to the club, as well as adherence to the community and employment policies.
- With Cottbus struggling to maintain their position for promotion and facing elimination from the DFB-Pokal, the impact of Max's actions on both the team and his employer is significant, as they compete against Rostock for the top spot.
