German FA bans former Union youth coach Härtel for eight weeks over discriminatory remarks
The German FA's sports court has handed Jens Härtel a 12-week coaching ban, four weeks of it suspended, for discriminatory comments. The 57-year-old accepted the ruling, making it final.
Archive image · Photo: Steven Schaap / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Jens Härtel was sanctioned by the German Football Association's (DFB) sports court on Monday, a day after he stepped down as coach of Union Berlin's under-19 team. Ruling in a single-judge procedure on charges brought by the DFB's disciplinary committee, the court banned the 57-year-old from coaching for a total of 12 weeks. Eight weeks take effect immediately, with the remaining four suspended for one year.
The DFB said the case concerned three instances of discriminatory unsporting conduct, with Härtel making discriminatory remarks on several occasions in training and matches. He must also complete conflict and de-escalation training with the central reporting office for cases of violence, discrimination and extremism, or a comparable body, and provide proof to the federation by April 2027.
Härtel accepted the verdict, making it final. He had earlier apologised publicly to the team and to the coaching and support staff and admitted mistakes. Union said he does not intend to work as a coach for the time being.