As of: March 1, 2024, 5:23 a.m
By: Tino Weingarten
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In the Baller League, ex-professionals and amateurs are on the pitch together.
© dpa/Rolf Vennenbernd
The Baller League has to deal with heavy criticism from amateur football.
Not everyone of the three Hessen league clubs affected is happy either.
Up to six players from Endenicher's regular team were in action in the Baller League on Monday evening.
“The dressing room is poisoned,” says Markus Köppe, sports director of fifth division team FV Bonn-Endenich, to the SID: “One of the boys couldn’t tell me on Thursday who we were playing against at the weekend.” Köppe also introduced his players because of the risk of injury the choice – either Baller League in Cologne or Endenich.
“All but one said they were now playing in the Baller League.
“Something broke inside me,” he says.
So the club parted ways with the five players.
Baller League poison for amateur football?
Club from Hessenliga angry
Metehan Karadavut, sporting director of Türk Gücü Friedberg, can understand the criticism of the club from Bonn.
The Hessen league team has a player in the Baller League with winter newcomer Felix Metzler.
If more actors came to Karadavut, he would also put a stop to the whole thing: “Felix spoke to us openly and honestly about it and we didn't want to put any obstacles in his way.
But with three or four players it becomes difficult,” says Karadavut.
There are also two players from FC Bayern Alzenau, leaders of the Hessenliga, in the Baller League, but they currently have little playing time and, as coach Angelo Barletta says, can gain match practice there.
Viktoria Griesheim, on the other hand, is less enthusiastic.
The Hessen league team, which celebrated an important victory in the relegation battle with a 4-1 win over 1. FC Erlensee a week and a half ago, usually trains on Mondays.
Striker Luki Matondo, who plays for Eintracht Spandau in the Baller League and is Griesheim's top goalscorer with ten goals, will then be out.
“The Baller League should have no influence on his sporting performance.
Recently, however, he was no longer a regular player for our coach, but rather on the bench.
That’s also a sign,” says department head Mario Happel, who denies Matondo’s statements that he had the club’s approval for the Baller League: “That wasn’t communicated and we’re not happy about it,” emphasizes Happel.
Baller League defends itself against accusations: concept works
Viktoria has already sought talks with Matondo and his advisors.
“We told him what we thought about it.
We’ll see what he makes of it,” says Happel.
He will have clarity next Monday when Griesheim trains again after the game on Saturday, but at the same time the seventh matchday in the Baller League is scheduled.
“We ask ourselves what the Baller League brings to Viktoria Griesheim.
It doesn't do us any good, on the contrary.
We have a player who is not fully fit,” emphasizes Happel.
Matondo responded to the turmoil with a brace after coming on as a substitute against Erlensee.
However, this changed little about the club's attitude.
Those responsible for the Baller League have also heard the criticism from amateur football.
Founder Felix Starck said to the SID: “The Baller League has always said that we like to coexist with the clubs.” There are many conflicts brewing, but the Baller League concept is working.
Up to 900,000 people who are enthusiastic about the small-field league with special rules watch the online stream on Twitch.
The amateur clubs view the whole thing critically - and even leads to players being thrown out.