“Not with us!” FC Energie Cottbus reports match-fixing offers to several players

FC Energie Cottbus made headlines in Germany on Saturday when the club reported that several of its players had been approached with offers of money to throw their upcoming cup match against Ludwigsfelder FC. The club described the incident in a firm statement titled “Nicht mit uns!”—that is, “Not with us!” (FC Energie Cottbus)

In the past few days, several players of FC Energie Cottbus received offers for manipulating the match at Ludwigsfelder FC in the AOK-Landespokal Brandenburg [editor: i.e. the cup for the state of Brandenburg]. Large sums of money were offered if the game should take the desired course.

The players, however, “immediately informed the club of these dubious offers” and Energie duly informed the state soccer federation of Brandenburg and made the incident public in agreement with the federation and Ludwigsfelder FC.

The club concluded,

FC Energie firmly distances itself from any and all types of game manipulation, declares in no uncertain terms, “Not with us,” and will make all the information available to the appropriate investigative authorities so that they may pursue criminal charges.

Respekt!

Energie proceeded to win their match against Ludwigsfelder 2-0 and advanced to the third round of the AOK-Landespokal Brandenburg.

Bayern Munich last met Energie Cottbus in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in 2019, winning 3-1.