Scandal at BVB? Ex-manager faces abuse allegations | OneFootball

Serious allegations shake Borussia Dortmund: A former manager is accused of abusing youth players over decades.

Borussia Dortmund is facing serious allegations. Investigations by Bild suggest that a long-time top manager of the club may have abused youth players over the years. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, but according to the report, they were never fully addressed.

As early as 2010, a lawyer for a former youth player reportedly informed then-CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke about the incidents via email. The subject line simply read "Abuse." According to the lawyer, the player was "an absolutely promising young talent." The accused allegedly repeatedly pressured him and linked a "professional career or its denial with sexual favors." The phrase "You want to become a professional, don't you?" was reportedly repeated. By that time, the incidents were already about 20 years old and were legally time-barred.

According to Bild, the player's accounts include repeated visits by the manager to the locker room as well as observations during showering and changing. Additionally, the youth player experienced "perspective talks" in restaurants and at the manager's private house, where there were "hugs, attempted kisses, and touches in the genital area."

BVB reacts to abuse allegations only after decades

After receiving the report, the club initially reacted internally. The accused was banned from all club facilities and was not to take on any club duties until the case was resolved. At the same time, he denied the allegations. Later, he reportedly met with the player and agreed to cover the legal costs. The lawyer commented: "They paid money to keep the matter from going public." According to Bild, the amount was 1,600 euros.

Despite these allegations, the manager remained with BVB in various roles for years, most recently in a mini-job without "institutionalized contact with youth players." It was not until 2023 that the club apparently changed its approach to the individual after another alleged victim came forward. Subsequently, the manager was permanently excluded.

To this day, none of the allegations have been proven in court. None of the alleged victims have filed charges, and the public prosecutor's office has not yet investigated. The presumption of innocence applies. Since 2019, BVB has had a "protection concept for the prevention of sexualized violence" with extended background checks, training, and a whistleblower system.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.