The SC 20 Oberhausen has been excluded from the indoor city championship for an indefinite period. Club boss Thorsten Möllmann denies the accusations.
After a ban of several years, SC 1920 Oberhausen returned to this year’s edition of the Oberhausen city championship in indoor soccer. For the time being, the 20s, who finished in second place, were once again banned from the tournament. And for an indefinite period of time.
This was decided by the soccer section of the city sports association at an extraordinary meeting – “after extensive discussions with spectators, press representatives, the security service, the Oberhausen city sports association and after viewing relevant photos”, as stated in a letter to the club.
However, the background to this was not the riots in the stands that occurred during the final match between the club and the eventual winners Sterkrade 72, explained team manager Marcus Knipp when asked by RS. Rather, two alleged incidents were the decisive factor for the district league club’s repeated exclusion.
According to Knipp, an employee of the student council was prevented from making video recordings by active players from the 20s. They had tried to knock the cell phone out of the employee’s hand, as a video clearly shows. In addition, a press photographer had to endure insults and threats of violence. According to Knipp, “undoubtedly active SC players” were responsible for this
This is a bottomless insolence and absolutely damaging to the club’s reputation.
Thorsten Möllmann
The club’s managers have a different view of the situation. President and coach Thorsten Möllmann resolutely contradicts the representations of the professional association.
“This is a bottomless impertinence and absolutely damaging to our reputation,” rumbles the long-standing club boss. It was not players from his club who threatened the photographer. A witness who, according to Möllmann, had reported the alleged incident to the student council, had subsequently admitted this to Möllmann and apologized.
One thing is clear: the student council did not give the SC the opportunity to comment on the incidents. And that annoys Möllmann: “I find it very sad that we weren’t even listened to. It fits the picture, because the tournament management has already deliberately put us at a disadvantage several times in the hall. They probably didn’t want us to win the tournament.”
Student council did not listen to SC 20 Oberhausen
The SC wanted to reserve the right to take legal action against the exclusion. Head of the student council Knipp confirms that he did not invite SC for a hearing and explains: “The situation was too clear for that.”
The decision means that the SC will definitely be banned from the next edition of the city championship. Whether the club will be readmitted afterwards depends on how the players and members behave in the future.
Möllmann is considering a voluntary withdrawal. “But perhaps it’s also best if we don’t compete there regardless of our ban. We are obviously not wanted there,” says the chairman thoughtfully.