26 September 2001 - Magdeburg withdraw from the Bundesliga

26 September 2001 - Magdeburg withdraw from the Bundesliga

John Sharp reports:

The Bundesliga has had its first casualty in the 2001-2002 season with Magdeburg withdrawing only a few weeks before the start of the season, which means that there will be only 15 teams taking part this year. In any case, there was trouble brewing with reports from Schach magazine that Magdeburg were on a collision course with the German Chess Federation (DSB) over a eligibility of foreign players.

A statement was released by Christian Zickelbein, the spokesperson of the Bundesliga clubs:

20.9.01 USC Magdeburg withdraws from the Bundesliga

We have learnt from Juergen Kohlstaedt¹, that USC Magdeburg have explained their withdrawal from the Bundesliga First Division. Thus the expected first round altercation and our reported possible legal case have been avoided, but the Bundesliga has, after a quiet season, has its first loss. In the opinion of the League organizers, financial reasons are decisive in the withdrawal: the Stadtsparkasse, which had until now sponsored the team, have increased their commitment to the football team 1. FC Magdeburg and it is said that all remaining sponsorship has been cancelled, including that for the chess players. The Bundesliga has lost a very likeable team and some players have no employment this season - since the rules exclude their late inclusion in other teams. The withdrawal of a club is a bitter blow, not only for the League itself but most of all for its players.

The first two Rounds in Magdeburg are muddled up. According to the rules both the West German teams, Solingen and Heiligenhaus, must travel to SF Neukoelln in Berlin. Herbert Scheidt will take the trouble to invite the Berliners to Solingen, who are presently at the European Club Cup in Crete. Fans will be able to follow play at several websites.

Christian Zickelbein, the spokesperson of the Bundesliga clubs

¹Bundesliga Tournamanet Director

Thanks to Chris Bird, Karsten Mueller and Frank Palm for information.