Ex-DFB boss Keller settles with Vice Koch

Verbal exchange of blows
Ex-DFB boss Keller: interim president Koch puts “people inside and outside the DFB under massive pressure”

The former DFB President Fritz Keller has again made serious allegations against former and current officials of the German Football Association (DFB). Keller particularly criticized his former vice and current interim president Rainer Koch.

“In the vast majority of cases, the problem is with officials who do not see football, but only themselves,” said the 64-year-old Keller in an interview with “Sport Bild” (Wednesday). These officials would see the DFB as a “self-service shop”.

The winemaker and restaurateur named Koch in particular, who “in my opinion lacks any moral compass, who has been forging intrigues for years, putting people inside and outside of the DFB with its ropes under massive pressure”. You shouldn’t put your career above the welfare of the association. “It is time for an end to this.”

A new start at the DFB with Koch is not possible. “From my point of view: a clear no – in any position,” said Keller. “It stunned me that some sovereigns still allow themselves to be instrumentalized by him in such a way.” Of course, Koch continues to pull the strings.

Koch’s deputy starts to counterattack

The Vice-President of the Bavarian Football Association (BFV) and Koch’s deputy, Reinhold Baier, explained: “Fritz Keller lifts his forefinger and speaks of morality, even though he has repeatedly forgotten all manners when dealing with other people and his tone is wrong Maybe his verbal sweep will help him to get over his own, self-inflicted failure better. “

Baier went on to say: “Smart people shouldn’t deal with this baseless polemic, but exclusively with facts. Rainer Koch would do well to continue to work calmly and prudently for German football at the top of the DFB, and for a long time not to enter into transparent attacks of this campaign. “

Koch compared the cellar with a Nazi judge

Keller was elected to head the DFB in September 2019 with the promise of reforms and changes in the association. He resigned last May after comparing Koch with the Nazi judge at the People’s Court, Roland Freisler. Keller assured him that he had not received an answer from Koch to his apology. “I don’t forgive myself for this derailment that slipped out,” he admitted.

Since their resignation, Koch and Peter Peters have led the association on an interim basis. A new president is to be elected at the Bundestag on March 11, 2022 in Frankfurt / Main. Koch then no longer wants to run as 1st Vice President. Peters had announced his interest in running for president.

yks
dpa