Overview

• German media identified the accused as former Borussia Dortmund staffer Horst Jansen, who denies the allegations and declined further comment.
• Reports allege sexual abuse of youth players in the 1970s to 1990s, including promises of a professional career and the use of VIP tickets to lure teenagers.
• A victim’s lawyer first contacted the club in 2010, and after an internal meeting the employee allegedly agreed to cover legal costs before resuming duties without contact with youth players, according to BVB.
• Following a further allegation in 2023, Dortmund ended the former employee’s minor employment, revoked his VIP tickets, and excluded him from the club, with a BVB letter citing a 1999 incident.
• In a new statement, the club says it took the matter seriously but could not substantiate the long-ago claims, and it points to a 2019 protection program with external, anonymous reporting channels.