Did 1. FC Cologne attempt bribery due to the transfer trouble with Olimpija Ljubljana surrounding youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik shortly before the appointment at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)? The Slovenian club has now substantiated such suggestions with a photo.
Things are going haywire at 1. FC Köln these days. The cathedral townspeople are extremely weak in terms of sport, and coach Steffen Baumgart recently had to leave. Now there is also the threat of massive trouble at management level.
Because after Effzeh had to swallow a transfer ban over two transfer periods, which the International Court of Arbitration for Sports Cas confirmed on Thursday, Olimpija Ljubljana is now following up against the Bundesliga soccer club and trying to prove an attempted bribery.
What happened? In short: Youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik, who comes from the youth ranks and has been playing for 1. FC Köln since the end of January 2022, is said to have been incited to breach his contract by the Cologne team around his move. That’s the accusation from Ljubljana. After FIFA agreed with the Slovenians in February 2023, the CAS has now confirmed the ruling according to which the Bundesliga club is not allowed to make any transfers for two substitution periods – there was also a ban for Potocnik and fines. (More details here!)
But what happened before the CAS hearing? “Shortly before the deadline, a meeting took place at Munich Airport between the President of NK Olimpija and the Vice President of 1. FC Köln Dr. Carsten Wettig as well as the Managing Director Mr. Christian Keller. The aim of the meeting was to reach an agreement on compensation for Potocnik. 1. FC Köln has made a written offer of €750,000.00,” Bild quoted the Slovenian club as saying.
1. FC Cologne: “False statement” demanded?
The tabloid published a photo of a handwritten letter on a pad with the DFL logo that listed possible compensation components. It also says “common language regulations” and “confidentiality”.
Apparently intended for the Slovenians to present the case before the CAS differently so that the people of Cologne can get their heads out of the loop.
Ljubljana managing director Igor Barisic had already indicated this in November. “Cologne has offered compensation if NK Olimpija makes a false statement to the CAS and declares that the immediate termination was justified.” So now the alleged evidence?
Open! Because “Bild” quotes Effzeh manager Keller, who dismissed the allegations on Friday as “completely absurd”. “Fortunately, there is also written evidence of this.” The last word in this case does not seem to have been spoken yet.