3rd soccer league - Setback for Cottbus: No funding for stadium renovation
The Aufsteiger Energy Cottbus, according to its own statements, did not receive funding for the renovation and rebuilding of its stadium. The football club of the third league made this known, stating that its funding application within the structural development program for Lausitz was rejected.
"This rejection was reportedly made by the Federal government, represented by the Lausitz region, but the FC Energy Cottbus has not received a written justification for this yet," the club wrote.
The FCE had prepared an application for a funding sum in the millions for the main purpose of modernizing the West stand, as confirmed by a spokesperson to dpa on request. The decision is now causing great confusion among club representatives. "After the euphoria of the last few weeks and months, this is now a setback, a low blow. We celebrated the promotion to the 3rd league five weeks ago. Are we playing recreational sports here?", said FCE President Sebastian Lemke to the "Niederlausitz aktuell" portal.
Is third league football just recreational sports?
The rejection was reportedly justified, according to Cottbus statements, among other things, because recreational sports are not eligible for funding. The third league club reacted in surprise to this, "given that the existence of the only professional football club in Brandenburg is described as recreational sports on the one hand, and on the other hand, no recognition is shown regarding the significance of the club in the city of Cottbus, Lausitz, and the hearts of many people living here".
The FC Energy Cottbus appealed in its club statement to the Land Brandenburg to follow up on the words of the past years with actions. "Take advantage of the opportunity that the return of professional football to our beautiful federal state has created and make those things possible that can be realized and that have already been achieved at countless other locations in Germany".
- Despite being promoted to the Third League, FC Energy Cottbus, located in Lusatia and Cottbus, is facing difficulties in securing funding for stadium renovations, which is crucial for modernizing the West stand.
- The rejection of FC Energy Cottbus's funding application within the structural development program for Lusitz has led to major disappointments within the club, as the club president, Sebastian Lemke, described the situation as a "setback" and a "low blow."
- Despite being labeled as recreational sports by some, FC Energy Cottbus, as the only professional football club in Brandenburg, has a significant impact on the city of Cottbus, Lausitz, and the lives of many residents, making it a vital entity for further investments in the local community.
