No verdict in the dispute between VfL Osnabrück and Antwerp

The presiding judge said that they had come to the conclusion that the witness statements had to be looked at carefully again in the written minutes afterwards. They don’t want to make the decision easy because there is a lot at stake, both economically and personally.

VfL Osnabrück had announced immediate dismissals against Antwerp and Döpper on May 27th. Antwerp and Döpper are suing against this, as well as other subsequent dismissals without notice.

NFV cup final in focus

The third division soccer team terminated the coaching duo without notice after the lost NFV Cup final on May 24, 2025 against the regional league team BW Lohne after allegations were made that Antwerp and Döpper had tried to influence the game.

Antwerp and Döpper are said to have put pressure on the then rehabilitation and current VfL athletic trainer, Tim Schütte, to call the Osnabrück loan player Bernd Riesselmann, who was playing for Lohne, and to suggest that he not play. Antwerp and Döpper reject the allegations.

Riesselmann played in the final and even scored a goal. He is now back under contract with the leaders of the third division.

Athletic trainers take center stage

The questioning of today’s Osnabrück athletic trainer Schütte was the focus of the hearing before the Osnabrück labor court under the presiding judge Christian Hageböke. Schütte stated that he had been asked by Antwerp twice to contact Riesselmann. The 54-year-old trainer once again rejected this accusation in court.

The case had already concerned the sports jurisdiction of the German Football Association. Antwerp was given a twelve-month ban by the DFB sports court on August 28th. Döpper was banned for three months. Both then filed an appeal. On November 26th, the DFB Federal Court reduced Antwerp’s ban to three months and overturned Döpper’s sentence.