Unsettling Allegations: Wollitz Takes Aim at Krauß over Match-Fixing Claims
Wollitz alleges the suspected fraudulent activities perpetrated by his professional associate.
By Torben Siemer
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Amidst the season's close, Maximilian Krauß faces suspension from Energy Cottbus, as coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz accuses him of match-fixing. Krauß rebuts, lashing back publicly, while Cottbus secures a place in the promotion playoff final.
In mid-February, Maximilian Krauß was a game-changer for Energy Cottbus. Substituted in the second half against SC Verl, Krauß scored the winning goal in the 59th minute, catapulting Cottbus to the top of the 3rd division table. Dreams of consecutive promotions were alive in the Lausitz region. However, the joy was short-lived, as Krauß and his coach's tense relationship took a dramatic twist.
Referred to by Wollitz as "this figure" and "not my player anymore," Krauß became a stormy figure in the Cottbus locker room. Krauß, normally a regular player for Energy, had scored eight goals and provided five assists for most of the season. But now, Wollitz implicates him in unsavory activities, stating that his teammates removed the letter "K" from Krauß's locker, leaving only "rauß." The catalyst for this escalation stems from Krauß's decision not to renew his expiring contract, opting instead to sign with Hansa Rostock for the upcoming season.
Wollitz Suggests Match-Fixing without Concrete Evidence
The timing of Krauß's transfer to Rostock, a rival in the race for third place and the upcoming opponent, raises Wollitz's ire. He finds it disrespectful towards Cottbus and Krauß's teammates. Wollitz accuses Krauß of serious misconduct and suspends him, implying that he is involved in match-fixing, similar to a 2009 case involving VfL Osnabrück. In that case, at least one player was found to have intentionally played poorly for money, leading to relegation.
Wollitz's evidence for the allegations: "Until the 24th matchday, Krauß was the best substitute in the league." On the 24th matchday, Krauß scored the winning goal against Verl. Afterward, his statistics allegedly showed slower sprinting and reduced effort. Wollitz hints that Krauß may have deliberately earned his fifth yellow card against Verl in stoppage time, resulting in a suspension for the next away game to avoid missing his mother's birthday. However, Wollitz fails to provide concrete evidence or proof for these accusations.
Krauß, through third-tier media partner MagentaSport, denies the allegations, potentially damaging his career. "I am shocked by the baseless statements of my coach," Krauß contends, providing his version of events. "We sought contractual certainty until the end of April, which we achieved with our agreement last Monday. The Cottbus offer did not convey the 'want unconditionally' sentiment."
Wollitz Under Scrutiny for Lacking Proof
Despite his emotional outbursts, there has been no apology from Wollitz since his press conference. Instead, he maintains his stance, stating, "I've stuck to the facts and never claimed anything; I just relayed what I was told." If Wollitz cannot substantiate these allegations, he will be under the media's glare. His responsibility extends beyond the severity of his accusations.
Coincidentally, Cottbus wins the game in Rostock 3:1, seizing third place from both Rostock and Saarbrücken. With a home win in the last game, Wollitz's team can secure a spot in the relegation playoff for the 2. Bundesliga, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
Source: ntv.de
- Claus-Dieter Wollitz
- Energie Cottbus
- Football
- Hansa Rostock
- Transfers and Rumors
- 3. Liga
To gather more information:
- Check Official Statements: Look for statements from Energy Cottbus, the DFB, or any other official bodies that might have investigated these allegations.
- News Archives: Review news articles from 2019 that cover German football and any match-fixing scandals.
- Legal Documents: If there were legal proceedings, official documents from those proceedings might provide evidence or insights.
Without specific details, it's challenging to provide precise evidence or proof. If you have more context or specific details about the allegations, this might help narrow down the search for relevant information.
- Despite Wollitz's allegations, 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, such as a potential match-fixing case.
- In Cottbus, Lausitz, Maximilian Krauß was relegated from Energy Cottbus to Hansa Rostock amidst match-fixing allegations, with no concrete evidence found thus far.
- WhatsApp messages exchanged during that football season in the Cottbus locker room could potentially hold clues regarding the match-fixing claims against Krauß, according to investigators.
- If the sports authorities in Germany decide to conduct a thorough investigation into Krauß and Wollitz's allegations, they might find parallels with the 2009 match-fixing case involving VfL Osnabrück, where players were found to have intentionally played poorly for money, leading to relegation.
