Dennis Erdmann is now allowed to play for 1. FC Saarbrücken again. The remainder of his eight-week ban for racist remarks was suspended after the defender admitted to “possible misunderstandings”. The fight against racism is not served by this – a classification by kicker reporter Thiemo Müller.
Defender Erdmann may play for third division team 1.FC Saarbrücken again with immediate effect. The suspension of the defender, who had been accused of racism, was confirmed in principle at the DFB Federal Court, but the remaining two games were suspended. In addition, the initial fine of 3,000 euros was cancelled.
The appeal hearing in the Erdmann case was eagerly awaited – and began with a big surprise. Contrary to what had been planned shortly before the start of the trial on Wednesday morning, the issue at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt was no longer whether or not the defender from Saarbrücken had racially insulted opponents in the match against Magdeburg (2:1) on 25 August. In the first instance, the DFB sports court had considered this to be proven on the basis of Magdeburg’s witness statements and sentenced Erdmann to an eight-week ban.
Erdmann himself had completely denied the accusations; apart from the Magdeburg statements, there was no circumstantial evidence for the accusations in question. The professional, it was said for weeks, felt unjustly stigmatised and wanted to fight for his reputation rather than against the ban by reopening the matter before the Federal Court. Fundamental issues seemed to be at stake. Right up to the question of whether the first instance, in the “common fight against racism” invoked by the judge at the time, had possibly passed a politically motivated judgement that paid too little attention to the iron legal principle of “in case of doubt for the accused”.
Erdmann’s admission is legally tantamount to a confession
All that didn’t matter any more on Wednesday. Erdmann’s lawyer Horst Kletke declared on behalf of his client that he wanted to limit the appeal solely to the legal consequences – i.e. the duration of the ban. His reasoning was that a new hearing of evidence would be too burdensome for the witnesses, who were after all “all professional colleagues”.
Erdmann maintains that he did not utter the insults he was accused of, but: “If there were misunderstandings in view of the hectic pace of the game, he is sorry. Statements that ultimately remain irrelevant. In fact, Erdmann has acknowledged the facts established in the first instance – namely racist insults from his mouth. Presiding judge Achim Späth also spoke of a “confession function”, legally the accusation of racism thus remains.
The 13 witnesses were allowed to go home without having achieved anything. Erdmann’s only concern now was to reduce the ban to the five games already served or to suspend the remaining two games on probation. The Control Committee agreed to the latter proposal, as well as to the lifting of the €3000 fine.
The fight against racism is not served by this
The short-term peace of mind of Erdmann, who spoke of a “reasonable end”, may now be served. The fight against racism on football grounds, on the other hand, certainly won’t. To retreat to a possible “misunderstanding” does not do justice to the importance of the issue. Moreover, the question remains open: To what extent do accusations of racism have to be proven at all in order to convict a – possibly innocent – defendant?
The Erdmann case would have been suitable to initiate a broad and productive discussion on the topic and perhaps even to clarify fundamental issues. The professional himself obviously did not want to undergo this stress. If he was at all sure of his case, as claimed after the first instance. Either way, in view of the relevance of the matter, which goes beyond the individual case, the completely surprising withdrawal gives an unpleasant impression: that of pure horse-trading.
