the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) is on the brink of witnessing what some are calling “one of the most controversial moments in its history.” However, the widespread outrage over this potential event has been muted, as it stems primarily from the outlook of Sergey Saveljev, the 25-year-old Latvian managing director of the Krefeld Penguins.Saveljev and his team are perilously close to becoming the first club to be relegated from the DEL as the Kassel Huskies in 2006, a relegation that was later nullified.
Relegation was reintroduced recently, and Krefeld now faces the grim possibility of being the first team to suffer this fate under the revived rule. This comes in a season already marred by irregularities, as the final standings have been skewed by numerous COVID-19-related game cancellations. The last three teams in the league—Iserlohn, Schwenningen, and Krefeld—will conclude their seasons with 54, 55, and 56 games played, respectively, due to insufficient time to reschedule missed matches. A points-per-game quotient has been introduced to address this imbalance, but Krefeld argues that this system, combined with unavoidable game cancellations, creates an unfair competitive distortion.As an inevitable result, the club has preemptively announced its intention to pursue legal action to contest any potential relegation.
legal Counsel Voigt Clarifies: No Lawsuit Yet, But All Options Are on the table
For now, the situation remains unresolved. Krefeld temporarily staved off relegation with a dramatic 2-1 victory in a penalty shootout against Bietigheim last Sunday. Their upcoming match against Schwenningen this Tuesday offers another chance to delay their fate. The Penguins’ final three games—against mannheim (twice) and Iserlohn—are shaping up to be a grueling battle for survival. “We’re steadfast to fight until the very end,” Saveljev emphasized, referring to both their on-ice efforts and potential legal maneuvers.
“One of the biggest controversies in DEL history”: Penguins Managing Director Sergey Saveljev,25.
(Photo: Goldberg/Gorgeous Sports/Imago)
matthias Voigt, the Penguins’ legal counsel, is cautious about framing their actions as a lawsuit.”We’re simply exploring all available legal avenues,” he stated, aiming to temper expectations. The challenge lies in the fact that Krefeld, like all DEL clubs, agreed to the points-per-game rule at the start of the season.Voigt acknowledges that pursuing legal action could risk painting the club as sore losers, especially if they are relegated. Instead,the focus is on presenting their case before the DEL arbitration board. When asked about the possibility of escalating the matter to civil court, Voigt remained noncommittal, stating, “We’ll carefully assess the risks and benefits.” Such a move could prolong the dispute well into the summer, creating uncertainty for both the club and the league.
Simultaneously occurring, Krefeld is preparing for two potential scenarios.The club has secured commitments from several players for the second division, DEL2, should relegation occur. while historic rivalries against teams like Landshut and Kaufbeuren await in DEL2, the absence of local derbies against Düsseldorf and Cologne would be a significant blow, both emotionally and financially.
Krefeld’s Legacy: A Pillar of German Ice Hockey
The potential relegation of Krefeld would mark a seismic shift in German ice hockey. Alongside Augsburg,Berlin,Cologne,Mannheim,and Nuremberg,Krefeld is one of only six cities to have consistently fielded a team in the DEL as its inception in 1994. The city’s ice hockey heritage runs deep: Krefelder EV claimed the German championship in 1953, the German Ice Hockey Federation was established in Krefeld in 1963, and the Penguins clinched the DEL title in 2003. Losing Krefeld from the top tier would not only disrupt this legacy but also diminish the league’s historical continuity.
Relegation would undoubtedly dampen the city’s passion for ice hockey. However, Saveljev remains optimistic, suggesting that a season in DEL2 could serve as a catalyst for renewal. “A fresh start might be exactly what we need to rebuild and come back stronger,” he remarked, hinting at the possibility of a triumphant return to the DEL in the future.
The German Ice Hockey League (DEL) is currently embroiled in what many are calling one of the most contentious situations in its history. At the center of this controversy is the Krefeld Penguins, a team on the verge of becoming the first club to be relegated from the DEL as the Kassel Huskies in 2006—a relegation that was later overturned. This potential relegation has sparked critically important debate, especially due to the unique circumstances surrounding this season [[1]].
The Context of the Controversy
Relegation was reintroduced to the DEL recently, and Krefeld is perilously close to being the first team to face this fate under the revived rule. However,the situation is intricate by irregularities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.The final standings have been skewed due to numerous game cancellations, with the bottom three teams—Iserlohn, Schwenningen, and Krefeld—having played 54, 55, and 56 games, respectively. To address this imbalance, the league introduced a points-per-game quotient, but Krefeld argues that this system, combined with unavoidable cancellations, creates an unfair competitive distortion [[1]].
Krefeld’s Stance and Legal Threat
The Penguins have preemptively announced their intention to pursue legal action if relegated, claiming that the circumstances have placed them at an unjust disadvantage. Their legal counsel, Voigt, has clarified that while no lawsuit has been filed yet, all options remain on the table. This legal threat adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation [[1]].
On-Ice Efforts and Upcoming Matches
Krefeld has shown resilience on the ice, recently securing a dramatic 2-1 victory in a penalty shootout against Bietigheim, temporarily staving off relegation. Their upcoming match against Schwenningen offers another possibility to delay their fate. The Penguins’ final three games—against Mannheim (twice) and Iserlohn—are shaping up to be a grueling battle for survival. Sergey Saveljev, the 25-year-old managing director of Krefeld, has emphasized the team’s determination to fight until the very end, both on the ice and in potential legal battles [[1]].
the Broader implications
This situation raises crucial questions about fairness and integrity in sports, particularly in leagues still grappling with the lingering effects of the pandemic. The potential relegation of Krefeld,combined with their legal challenge,could set a precedent for how leagues handle similar issues in the future.The DEL’s handling of this controversy will undoubtedly be scrutinized by fans,players,and sports analysts alike [[1]].
Conclusion
The Krefeld Penguins’ fight for survival is more than just a battle on the ice—it is indeed a test of the DEL’s ability to navigate unprecedented challenges while maintaining fairness and transparency. Whether through on-ice performance or legal action, Krefeld’s determination to avoid relegation underscores the high stakes of this controversy.As the season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on the DEL to see how it resolves one of the most contentious moments in its history [[1]].
