Hoffenheim ban two Dietmar Hopp confidants from the PreZero Arena | OneFootball

Kicker reports that Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will take the next step in distancing itself from controversial agent Roger Wittmann. The close confidant of club patron Dietmar Hopp – known to be involved in several dodgy personnel dealings with the club’s front office – will no longer be allowed in the stadium. A second business associate of Hopp will also be forbidden from attending matches at the PreZero Arena.

The ban also applies to former TSG academy head Dirk Mack. The 56-year-old currently works for a company, Hobra, that consults with two clubs in which Hopp has vested financial interests: Brazil (Barra Futebol Clube) and Portugal (Academico de Viseu). Hoffenheim obtained defender Arthur Chaves from the latter club in what was widely perceived to be a crooked deal.

Wittmann continues to represent Hoffenheim professionals Chaves, Umut Tohumcu, Tim Lemperle, and Fisnik Asllani. Wittmann recently negotiated a lucrative contract extension for Asllani.  Kicker reports that Wittmann, and Mack are not necessarily prepared to accept their embargoes.

The duo may attempt to discredit the current leader of the TSG management team, Dr. Markus Schütz, and perhaps force changes in the club’s board.Hoffenheim supporters nevertheless remain firmly on the side of getting Hopp and his cronies out of the club.

Many TSG fans still stage protests against Hopp’s influence. The 83-year-old technically fulfilled his promise to return the club to 50+1 administration, but still appears to be pulling strings behind the scenes.

The dismissal of longtime Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rosen approximately one year ago is taken by many to constitute evidence of this. Rosen’s eventual replacement Andreas Schicker and head coach Christian Ilzer remain highly unpopular figures in the German footballing discourse.

GGFN | Peter Weis