This Tuesday night game will resonate for a while. It’s about a complaint against the Kassel coach and possible influence on the referees by the guests before the game. The Hessians firmly reject the allegations.
The Lausitzer Füchse have a game on Tuesday evening Lost the fourth game 3:6 in the playoff quarterfinals and are behind 1:3 in the “Best of Seven” series. But before the game there were two incidents that will still concern the police and the league. It’s about a criminal complaint against Kassel’s coach Todd Woodcroft and possible influence on the referees by the guests.
Kassel coach is said to have made “Kill you” signs
“I was informed after the game after our coach gave hints at the press conference. I was told that during morning training the coach of the Kassel Huskies verbally attacked the catering operator and put his thumb on his neck,” explained managing director Dirk Rohrbach in an interview with “Sport im Osten”. He has already informed the league’s managing director, René Rudorisch, and will do the same with the DEB. The person concerned also filed a police report. “It’s one thing if, as a coach, you spread such gestures in the arena and in public, you should evaluate that.”
Huskies officials before the game at the referees
The second incident before the game on Tuesday evening is about possible influence on the referees. Those responsible for the Kassel Huskies went to the referees, a “no go,” as Rohrbach explained. Actually, it is common practice that a representative from the other club must also be present.
“The conclusion for us is that influence is being exerted. Something like this must not happen and must be evaluated.” There were also some questionable decisions in the game. “Things need to be clarified. I want this cleared up.” Rohrbach would like there to be witness statements here. “Recrimination or not. These are things that should never happen again. That’s why we have to warn the public about this.”
The Foxes have to win in Kassel on Friday, otherwise the season would be over.
Huskies deny allegations
SPORT IM EAST asked the Kassel Huskies for a statement this morning. The Hessians expressed themselves in one in the afternoon Club announcement and rejected the “inadmissible suspicious reporting” and the allegations as “baseless”.
It says: “After internally examining the allegations made, we are convinced that the gesture described did not take place in this form. Rather, it is likely a misinterpretation by the complainant after he was repeatedly asked in vain not to make any video recordings of the Kassel Huskies’ training session.”
Conversation between coach and Catering operator
Huskies coach Woodcroft and the person who made the complaint also spoke out about what happened in the locker room after training, which is why the club was very surprised by the criminal complaint after the game.
The accusation of “undue influence on match officials” was also completely out of thin air. “The exchange between clubs and officials in the run-up to games is common and, as always, took place within the framework of the applicable regulations,” explained the Kassel team.
Rohrbach: “Maybe we can pull off a coup”
Regardless of what happened and with a view to Friday, the Füchse managing director appeared combative. They have already had a very good season and played on equal terms in the quarter-finals against the big favorites from Kassel. “We are optimistic, even if we can only play with three lines,” said Rohrbach, referring to the tense personnel situation after another player was injured on Tuesday. “We’re going there with a lot of confidence and maybe we can pull off a coup so that we still have a home game on Sunday.”
Ronny Eichhorn
