DFB bans Union Berlin U19 coach Jens Härtel for 12 weeks over discriminatory remarks
The former second-division coach stepped down as Union Berlin's U19 coach on Sunday, 11 October, and must also complete conflict and de-escalation training by April 2027.
The sanction
The DFB has sentenced Jens Härtel, 57, to a 12-week ban from coaching after finding him guilty of three cases of discriminatory unsporting conduct, the federation said. Eight of those weeks take effect immediately, while the remaining four weeks are suspended for one year on probation. The DFB sports court imposed the ruling, which followed a request from the DFB control committee for a ban of several weeks over discriminatory comments made in training. Reports describe the ruling as final. Reports differ on the scope of the ban: some say it covers coaching at 1. FC Union Berlin, while others say Härtel may not carry out any coaching activity during the eight weeks.
- Served immediately
- 8 weeks
- Suspended for one year
- 4 weeks
- Total ban
- 12 weeks
Resignation and apology
Härtel stepped down as U19 coach at 1. FC Union Berlin on Sunday, 11 October, before the sanction was announced. In a club statement, he said he would not work as a coach "until further notice" and would use the time for personal reflection and professional support. He apologized to his team, the coaching and support staff and the club. In the statement he said:
I made mistakes and did not live up to my role model function in youth development. I asked my team and the coaching and support staff for forgiveness, and I would like to do the same with the entire club. It was never my intention to verbally hurt anyone or to discriminate against them.
- Härtel steps down as Union Berlin U19 coach after the DFB control committee requests a ban
- Reports of the DFB sanction: 12-week ban, eight weeks immediate, four suspended
The allegations
The case began with an anonymous letter to Union Berlin that raised discrimination allegations against Härtel. According to the club, no personally affected person had come forward through the internal or external contact points it offers. Härtel had repeatedly made discriminatory remarks in training and match operations, according to the club's account of the case. The DFB ruling covers three separate cases of this conduct.
Härtel, a native of Saxony, previously coached 1. FC Magdeburg, Hansa Rostock and Eintracht Braunschweig in the 2. Bundesliga. Most recently he coached FC Erzgebirge Aue in the 3. Liga before taking the U19 post at Union Berlin. His appointment and dismissal at the club are not described in the reports in further detail.
Conditions and next steps
Alongside the sanction, Härtel must take part in conflict and de-escalation training by April 2027 at the central contact point for cases of violence, discrimination and extremism, or at a comparable institution. The eight-week component of the ban is enforced now, and the four suspended weeks remain on probation for one year. Union Berlin said Härtel had informed the club that he would not practise as a coach until further notice, so the club's own position matches his stated plan to reflect on his conduct. The sources do not give a date for the end of the immediate ban.
