Berlin football is worried about a traditional club: Charlottenburger FC Hertha 06 had to file for bankruptcy – and currently no longer exists. The games that have already been played in the NOFV-Nord Oberliga will probably be cancelled. The future is open.
Will Charlottenburger FC Hertha 06 still exist in the future? The development is currently open. IMAGO/Andreas Gora
It is probably the last inglorious chapter in the long history of Charlottenburg FC Hertha 06 – after the anti-Semitism case almost a year ago involving the then vice-president Ergün Cakir during the club’s A youth game against TuS Makkabi Berlin. The club, once founded 118 years ago as Charlottenburger FC Vorwärts, no longer exists and was removed from the club register by the Charlottenburg District Court with effect from a final entry on February 5th. The kicker has a corresponding document. This states: “The association has been dissolved by the legally binding rejection of an application to open insolvency proceedings due to a lack of assets covering the costs of the proceedings on the basis of Section 42 Paragraph 1, Sentence 1.” Accordingly, there is nothing left that could be turned into money for the creditors.
Those responsible for the game management in the Northeast German Football Association (NOFV) and Berlin Football Association (BFV) reacted accordingly and suspended all games of the Berlin club from Brahestraße last weekend. “At the moment we no longer exist. No club, no insurance for the players,” said Haldun Öztek, who is supposed to be a youth leader and treasurer on the board, to the RBB. Accordingly, social security contributions for players, coaches and employees should be outstanding – the tax office is also probably still demanding money. The amount is open.
30,000 to 40,000 euros in debt
Öztek, who does not appear as a board member in the association register extract, speaks of 30,000 to 40,000 euros in liabilities to the tax authorities, health insurance companies and the professional association. This development is “a shame for Berlin football,” says BFV association president Bernd Schultz. Due to this still unclear situation, the Berliners will probably no longer take part in NOFV games with the first men’s team this season. The most recent games against Tennis Borussia Berlin and Eintracht Mahlsdorf were canceled.
“The question of insolvency law has not been finally clarified,” said Ulf Kuchel, game director of the NOFV-Oberliga-Nord. “Hence this precautionary measure, also to prevent damage to the NOFV and the clubs and players involved.” This also applies to the club’s team in the Futsal Regional League. According to NOFV regulations, the case is clear. Paragraph 6 of the game regulations states: “An insolvent club, regardless of whether proceedings are ongoing or the application has been rejected, will be placed last on the last match day and will be relegated.”
Decision by Wednesday
However, the NOFV has not yet made a final decision. According to kicker information, the association’s vote should be made and published by Wednesday. However, according to reports, it is likely that the 15 games played by CFC Hertha 06 to date will be canceled and there will then be an updated fifth division table. The BFV also wants to make a decision as soon as possible about what will happen to the teams at the state level.
However, it remains to be seen what will become of the several hundred club members, including a large number of children and young people. “If the club were to be deleted, it would be a disaster,” said Öztek. So is there perhaps another chapter in the history of CFC Hertha 06?