Overview
- Union Berlin announced Sunday that Jens Härtel will not work as the U19 coach for the time being and has agreed with the club to take an Auszeit from coaching.
- The DFB’s Kontrollausschuss filed a Strafantrag requesting a multi‑week Betätigungsverbot for Härtel over alleged discriminatory remarks in the training environment.
- The allegations reached the club via an anonymous letter, prompting an internal review supported by external experts and the club says no named, personally affected person has come forward.
- Härtel issued an apology saying he made mistakes, confirmed he will seek professional support and reflection, and Union says it has sanctioned him for his conduct.
- Härtel joined Union’s U19s in July after a long coaching career and a January 2026 beurlaubung at Erzgebirge Aue, and the case is likely to drive continued safeguarding reviews, monitoring of players and possible further DFB disciplinary steps.