Allegations of Discrimination: DFB Sanctions Härtel

Jens Härtel, a former second-division coach who made headlines for making discriminatory remarks, has been suspended from coaching for twelve weeks by the German Football Association’s (DFB) sports tribunal. The DFB announced this decision.

Due to three instances of discriminatory and unsportsmanlike conduct, Härtel has been barred from coaching for twelve weeks, according to the DFB’s statement. Consequently, eight weeks of this suspension must be served immediately. “The remaining four weeks of the suspension have been suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the statement continued. 

The background to this is that the 57-year-old had resigned from his position as youth coach at Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin following a disciplinary complaint filed by the DFB Control Committee. The committee had requested a ban on the Berlin U19 coach’s activities lasting several weeks due to allegations of discriminatory remarks made during training sessions, as Union announced.

Anonymous allegations of discrimination

Härtel acknowledged that he had made mistakes and apologized in a club statement on Sunday. He informed the club that he would not be coaching until further notice and would use the time to reflect on the matter personally. The DFB also required Härtel to participate in conflict and de-escalation training offered by the central contact point for cases of violence, discrimination, and extremism or a comparable institution. 

Härtel, who had previously coached 1. FC Magdeburg in the 2nd Bundesliga, Hansa Rostock, Eintracht Braunschweig, and most recently FC Erzgebirge Aue in the 3. Liga, had been the subject of allegations of discrimination in an anonymous letter sent to 1. FC Union. No report from a personally affected individual had been received by the club’s internal or external contact points.