Stirring Controversy: Wollitz Lays Match-Fixing Allegations on Krauß
Wollitz Levels Fraud Accusations Against His Own Associate
Written by Torben Siemer
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Amidst the final breaths of the season, Maximilian Krauß finds himself in the hot seat, suspended by Energy Cottbus, as his coach, Claus-Dieter Wollitz, accuses him of match-fixing. Krauß, for his part, defends himself publicly. Unexpectedly, Cottbus secures a spot in the promotion playoff final.
In mid-February, Maximilian Krauß was still the hero for Energy Cottbus, scoring the winning goal in a match against SC Verl. With that victory, Cottbus led the 3rd league table, and dreams of consecutive promotions were alive in the Lausitz region. Less than three months later, the initial elation has waned, and Krauß has gone from game-changer to outcast.
His coach, Claus-Dieter Wollitz, calls him "this figure" who "is still a player of Energy Cottbus on paper, but not mine anymore" in an interview with MagentaSport. These words signify a low point in a relationship that appears to have only disappointed parties.
The biggest disappointed party at the moment is Maximilian Krauß. The 28-year-old had been a regular starter for most of the season, netting eight goals and providing five assists. Now, Wollitz reports that his teammates have removed the letter "K" from Krauß's locker, leaving "rauß", a move that Wollitz believes speaks for itself. The catalyst for this extraordinary escalation stems from Krauß's decision not to renew his expiring contract, instead signing with Hansa Rostock for the following season.
Wollitz Impugns Krauß in Match-Fixing Allegations
Rostock is no stranger to Cottbus – they are both contenders for third place, which leads to a promotion playoff against the third-last team in the second league, and their upcoming opponent. For Wollitz, the issue isn't the transfer itself but the timing: "I find the timing of Monday's announcement disrespectful towards the employer Cottbus and the teammates." Krauß is suspended, and Wollitz makes the transfer and suspension public, also implicating Krauß in a serious indiscretion.
Wollitz even invokes a match-fixing scandal he witnessed at VfL Osnabrück in 2009, a scandal that saw at least one player intentionally underperforming in exchange for money. That player, along with another who admitted his willingness to do so, was later banned. Wollitz's grounds for the accusation: "Until the 24th matchday, Krauß was the top substitute in the league." On the 24th matchday, Krauß scored the winning goal against Verl. After that, Wollitz claims, Krauß's performance data shows a significant drop in his sprint speed and overall effort.
Wollitz also hints that Krauß may have earned his fifth yellow card against Verl in injury time, which would have ruled him out of the following away game. Krauß may have purposefully earned this card to avoid missing his mother's birthday, Wollitz suggests. However, Wollitz, known for his passionate outbursts, provides no concrete evidence or proof for these allegations. Unlike previous outbursts, there is no apology days later, but rather the aforementioned "this figure" statements.
Krauß Defends Himself against Wollitz's Allegations
Between the press conference outburst and the pre-match preparations in Rostock, Krauß also speaks out publicly. Via the 3rd Division media partner MagentaSport, he defends himself against the accusations that could derail his career. "I'm stunned by the unfounded statements of my coach," says Krauß, sharing his side of the story. "We wanted contractual assurance until the end of April," Krauß explains regarding the contract for the following season. "We achieved this with our confirmation last Monday. The Cottbus offer couldn't instill the 'desired unequivocally' feeling."
Wollitz counters in Rostock, saying he "sticks to the facts" and "never made any claims, I just relayed what I was told." However, if the accusations - reduced effort, intentional yellow card for a personal appointment, and comparisons to match-fixers - cannot be substantiated, Wollitz should take center stage. He is accountable, not just because of the gravity of his accusations but also for his role as a coach responsible for managing his team.
Incidentally, Cottbus surprises in Rostock, winning 3-1. It's their fourth win since the Verl match, their fourth win in 13 attempts. Energy overtakes Rostock and Saarbrücken, who both lose at home, to third place. With a home win next weekend, Wollitz's team can secure a spot in the relegation playoffs for the 2nd Bundesliga. It remains intriguing.
Source: ntv.de
- Claus-Dieter Wollitz
- Energie Cottbus
- Football
- Hansa Rostock
- Transfers and Rumors
- 3rd Division
Historical Match-Fixing Scandals in German Football
Historical match-fixing scandals in German football have strongly impacted the sport. One of the most significant match-fixing scandals in the sport's history took place in 2005 with the Robert Hoyzer scandal, involving a referee fixing matches. Although VfL Osnabrück and Energie Cottbus were not directly involved in this scandal, they have been part of various controversies in German football, including match-fixing. Other instances of match-fixing exploits have impacted various teams and officials over the years.
- 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 the context of the ongoing scandal about match-fixing allegations in German football.
- Claus-Dieter Wollitz, coach of Energy Cottbus, compares Maximilian Krauß's performance data to that of a player involved in a match-fixing scandal in VfL Osnabrück in 2009, despite Krauß's superior performance in the 3rd league.
- Coached by Claus-Dieter Wollitz, Energy Cottbus defeated Hansa Rostock 3-1 in a crucial match, moving them closer to a spot in the relegation playoffs for the 2nd Bundesliga.
- Despite his coach's damaging accusations, Maximilian Krauß announces his transfer to Hansa Rostock for the following season via WhatsApp, sparking a public controversy in German football.
- As the General-News article on the controversial transfer of Maximilian Krauß gains traction, more light is shed on historical match-fixing scandals in German football, reminding fans of the longstanding battle against these unethical practices in the sports world.
