Investigations as the reason
Suspected vaccination certificate forgery: Markus Anfang resigns as coach from Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen coach Markus Anfang during the game against FC St. Pauli – an investigation is now underway against the 47-year-old
© Carmen Jaspersen / Picture Alliance
Two days ago it became known that the public prosecutor’s office was investigating Werder coach Markus Anfang because of an allegedly falsified corona vaccination certificate. Now he’s resigned.
Markus Anfang has resigned as coach of the second division soccer team Werder Bremen. Reason for the decision are after Information from the association Investigations by the public prosecutor against the coach and the resulting unrest in the club. Co-trainer Florian Junge is also stepping down from his position with immediate effect.
“With their step, Markus and Florian are taking responsibility and are helping to put an end to the unrest that has arisen around the club and the team in the past few days,” said Frank Baumann, Managing Director of Football at Werder Bremen, in the statement of the club. “We respect your decision and will now start looking for a new head coach.”
Criminal charges against Markus Anfang
The Bremen public prosecutor has initiated an investigation against Werder-Coach. This was confirmed by the spokesman for the Bremen public prosecutor’s office, Frank Passade, on Friday. The background is a criminal complaint from the Bremen health department. The 47-year-old is suspected of having used a forged vaccination certificate. The public prosecutor’s office will then automatically check the facts.
The beginning had already rejected the allegations last Thursday evening in a press release by the club. “Just like every other double-vaccinated citizen, I received my two vaccinations at an official vaccination center and got the appropriate sticker in the yellow vaccination certificate,” said Anfang. “I then had it digitized in the pharmacy and naturally assumed that everything would be in order with it. I very much hope that the subject will be cleared up quickly.”
Markus Anfang asks “for the immediate termination” of the contract
In the statement, Anfang refers to his resignation. “Due to the extremely stressful situation for the club, the team, my family and myself, I have decided that I will end my job as Werder Bremen’s head coach with immediate effect,” said Anfang. “I therefore asked the people responsible for the immediate termination of my contract, and they complied with this request. I wish Werder today in the game against Schalke and maximum success for the future.”
Florian Junge also commented on his departure from Werder: “I really regret that my time at Werder Bremen is ending again. I felt extremely comfortable here and I wish the team and everyone else in and around the club all the best. “