Coach Marco Antwerpen addresses match-fixing allegations and suspension

Football coach Marco Antwerpen has spoken publicly for the first time regarding his suspension and allegations of match manipulation. In an interview with RevierSport, the 55-year-old stated that he has continued to receive inquiries from other clubs despite the ongoing legal dispute.

Antwerpen and his longtime assistant, Frank Döpper, were summarily dismissed by VfL Osnabrück in May 2025. The club accused them of attempting to influence the outcome of an NFV Cup final against BW Lohne by pressuring a rehabilitation coach to suggest a player withdraw from the match. Both men deny the allegations.

The German Football Association (DFB) Sports Court initially imposed a twelve-month suspension on Antwerpen, which was later reduced to three months following an appeal. While the sporting ban has been addressed, a legal battle regarding the dismissal from VfL Osnabrück continues in the regional labor courts.