Future of the FCS: power struggle or promotion – fans demand participation!

Future of the FCS: power struggle or promotion – fans demand participation!

A press conference by the executive board of 1. FC Saarbrücken (FCS) took place in Saarbrücken on Thursday morning. This lasted almost three and a half hours and was led by President Hartmut Ostermann, Vice President Salvo Pitino and Treasurer Dieter Weller. The main topic of the meeting was the future direction of the third division club and the internal power struggle, which is particularly characterized by the fan group “Virage Est”. They demand that the club as such continues to exist and reject the spin-off of the professional department into a capital company, according to SR.

Ostermann and his executive committee, however, see a spin-off as necessary in order to secure the financial resources required for the desired promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga. Despite the fact that the FCS had the second-highest advertising and marketing revenue in the league last season, they are struggling with limited attendance revenue. Promotion to the second division could generate additional funds, but after four missed attempts there are doubts about this.

Unity and diversity of opinions

The discussion about the restructuring of the club is also very present on social media. While the Presidium is working towards a fundamental change to the statutes to enable the planned spin-off, “Virage Est” has formulated its own demands. These include full-time directors in the areas of sports, finance and marketing, which should be controlled by a strong supervisory board. Treasurer Weller points out that sources of income in the third division are limited and that a financial power vacuum is feared as a result of the spin-off.

Another point that enlivens the discussion is the DFB's 50+1 rule, which ensures that the club retains the majority of the shares. Ostermann emphasized that FCS e.V. will continue to own at least 51 percent of the shares. The decision on the future direction is expected to be made in the autumn, and a general meeting is expected after the autumn holidays, whereby the necessary changes to the statutes will also be voted on at this meeting.

Solidarity and financial support

In a broader context, Ostermann also expressed the association's condolences to the survivors of the murdered police officer Simon Bohr. For every ticket sold next Saturday against Aue, one euro will be donated to the Bohr family. A box will also be provided for the relatives and friends of the deceased club member. The Executive Board has already unanimously decided to spin off the professional area in the form of a stock corporation in order to secure the necessary capital base.

• Die Mitglieder stimmen über drei Satzungsänderungen ab:

1. Professionalisierung mit starkem Aufsichtsrat und drei Vorständen (Antrag von „Virage Est“).
2. Ausgliederung in Form einer Kapitalgesellschaft.
3. Änderung einzelner Paragraphen zur Stärkung der Mitgliederrechte (Antrag von René Kayser).

A 75 percent approval rating is required for these proposals to be implemented. If no proposal receives this majority, the decision is transferred to the association's honorary council. The city of Saarbrücken is also planning to grant the club a leasehold for the sports field from the summer, although the financial conditions for this still have to be determined.

Overall, the situation at 1. FC Saarbrücken remains tense and the next general meeting will be groundbreaking for the future development of the club, this is also reported by Saarnews.