Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, who is bidding to become president, has been cleared of misconduct after being accused of billing private flights to the club. The Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper said on Tuesday that the anonymous allegations from 2023 had been investigated but that no further steps would be taken.
Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, who is bidding to become president, has been cleared of misconduct after being accused of billing private flights to the club.
The Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper said on Tuesday that the anonymous allegations from 2023 had been investigated but that no further steps would be taken.
The newspaper quoted Dortmund as saying: "All three review bodies – the compliance officer, the main committee of the advisory board, and the audit committee of the supervisory board – unanimously determined after thorough examination of the matter that Mr Watzke acted fully in accordance with internal guidelines."
Watzke, who is in the midst of a presidential election campaign as he looks to step away from the day-to-day running of the club, said: "It is good that both committees unanimously deemed the anonymous allegations to be unfounded. For me, the matter is now closed.
"However, I find it disappointing that internal details from Borussia Dortmund’s confidential committees have been leaked to the public despite comprehensive confidentiality obligations for all involved. Such behaviour destroys trust in internal discussions, which should be conducted robustly on the issues without fear of being used to damage the reputation of individuals."
It had long been expected that current Dortmund president Reinhold Lunow would step aside and allow Watzke, 66, to run unopposed.
However, Lunow announced his intention to run again this November and the pair are reportedly at loggerheads.
Category: General Sports
