2024-05-11 10:01:12
There is still an ongoing dispute about FC Luzern between shareholder Bernhard Alpstaeg and the current management. In an interview with blue Sport, president Stefan Wolf counters the harsh claims from Alpstaeg’s advisor Sacha Wigdorovits.
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- The shareholder dispute in FC Luzern enters the next round. Sacha Wigdorovits, adviser to Bernhard Alpstaeg, made serious accusations against the board and president Stefan Wolf in an interview with blue Sport.
- Answering questions from blue Sport, Wolf contradicts the representations on the Alpstaeg website. “I can assure you that I clearly did not offer my resignation,” Wolf says.
- FCL management wants to continue to pursue an agreement, as Wolf assures: “I hope that a solution can be found as quickly as possible, if at all.”
FC Luzern recently had to digest a disappointment. For Central Switzerland, missing the top 6 also means that they have not achieved their season goal. But the sporting setback is not the only source of unrest at the club.
Because a shareholder conflict is raging, sport has repeatedly taken a back seat in recent months and years. Starring: FCL shareholder Bernhard Alpstaeg on the one hand, the current sporting management around president Stefan Wolf on the other.
Strong accusations from the Alpstaeg side
In an interview with blue Sport, Sacha Wigdorovits, advisor to Bernhard Alpstaeg, explains the FCL shareholder’s point of view: “Bernhard Alpstaeg does not agree with the management at all. He sees money being burned at a rate that is simply irresponsible.” Therefore, Alpstaeg wanted to vote out the current board at the end of 2022.
But that does not happen because the board deprives the then majority shareholder of 25 percent of his shares. Looking back, the Alpstaeg website talks about a “cloak and dagger campaign”, which is why Alpstaeg is rightfully demanding its shares back. “It is now up to the district court to consider this and make a decision,” said Wigdorovits, who does not hold back in criticizing the current FCL management.
“Wolf is also under massive pressure on the board”
The accusations against the board surrounding President Stefan Wolf are serious. “He runs a deficit of millions every year. Three, four or even more millions. FC Luzern is oversubscribed, says Wigdorovits, adding that the club only survives thanks to special treatment. “The Federal Office of Sport has acknowledged that FCL does not need to repay the Covid loan at the moment. It’s a scandal. Every hairdresser and every plumber must pay back their Covid loan.”
According to information from blue Sport, it is not the case that FCL has a special position in this regard. All clubs that have applied for so-called Covid loans are subject to the same rules for repayment.
But Wigdorovits no longer sees a future for the FCL president. “Stefan Wolf is now also under massive pressure on the board. “It is therefore clear that his resignation or resignation is up for discussion.” In addition, the Alpstaeg side is sticking to the version that Wolf had long ago offered to resign. “But it would not have changed anything. It is clear to Alpstaeg that he is entitled to these 25 percent shares, and he wants them back,” explains Wigdorovits.
Wolf contradicts: “I did not offer to resign”
Stefan Wolf doesn’t want to know anything about it. “I can assure you that I clearly did not offer my resignation,” contradicts the FCL president in an interview with blue Sport. But: “It’s true that I always try to talk to Bernhard Alpstaeg when we see each other. That happened too.” For Wolf, it’s about finding a solution – “for the club, not for Stefan Wolf and Bernhard Alpstaeg”.
Wolf does not wish to disclose the content of the discussions publicly. But the 53-year-old admits: “The conversations are not very constructive because the fronts are quite hardened. But we keep at it. I hope that a solution can be found as quickly as possible, if at all.”
The situation is unsatisfactory for everyone involved. “It’s uncomfortable for everyone – whether for employees, fans, sponsors,” says Wolf, emphasizing: “However, people are extremely supportive of us. We’ve never had so many spectators since this stadium opened. It means that people are behind us, and we greatly appreciate that.”
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