Baden-Württemberg: VfB is ready to go and expects Karazor back

VfB Stuttgart concludes the preparations with a clear victory over FC Valencia.

Baden-Württemberg: VfB is ready to go and expects Karazor back

VfB Stuttgart concludes the preparations with a clear victory over FC Valencia. The central issue, however, is Atakan Karazor's release from prison. The midfielder is free again after around six weeks, his superiors demonstratively stand in front of him.

Stuttgart/Ibiza (dpa/lsw) - Sven Mislintat built a kind of imaginary protective shield. "For us it is one hundred percent clear that the boy is training with us and is one of our players," said the sporting director of VfB Stuttgart about midfielder Atakan Karazor, who was released from custody in Spain. "This is a person who has not even been charged," said the 49-year-old. "Fact is: If there is an indictment at some point, then you have to look at it. But as long as that is not the case, it is clearly our player, our boy." Karazor's release was the central theme of the weekend at the Bundesliga soccer club, which also had a successful dress rehearsal for the start of the competitive game next Friday.

"It was a positive test," said coach Pellegrino Matarazzo after the 5-2 (2-1) win over Spanish first division side FC Valencia in the Stuttgart Arena on Saturday afternoon. Tiago Tomás (16th and 44th minute), Silas Katompa Mvumpa (46th), newcomer Juan José Perea (58th) and Darko Churlinov (90th) scored their goals for the fifth win in the Swabians' fifth preparatory game. Marcos André (30th, 55th) scored twice for the guests. Matarazzo said he would rather praise "the team, the unity" than individual players. The sporting questions of the reporters were answered quickly anyway.

"I'm happy that he can join us again soon," emphasized the VfB coach when it came to the Karazor case. The 25-year-old is free again and is expected back in Stuttgart next week after spending a few days with his family in the Ruhr area. The Swabians announced that he would first complete performance diagnostic and medical tests there. On this basis and after personal discussions, a decision will be made about his return to training.

VfB has not commented on the ongoing proceedings. However, Mislintat reported that he first contacted the player by telephone. Karazor should "take the time he needs to let what happened there sink in," said the sporting director. "Then he'll be here in two, three, four days." And then you will see "when we can steer that into training". The lack of fitness that the midfielder is likely to bring is one thing. The psychological traces that a week-long stay in prison may leave behind in a person are another.

Karazor was arrested on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza around six weeks ago. He has since been released from custody on bail. The deposit is 50,000 euros, as the district court of the Balearic Islands announced. The footballer, who is being investigated for the "alleged crime of sexual assault", is allowed to leave Spain. However, he must remain available and report regularly to the court that made the decision to release him. In addition, he was not allowed to approach the alleged victim or communicate with him. The Stuttgart professional faces a prison sentence of several years.

According to VfB in mid-June, Karazor denies any criminal act. So far, the club has not wanted to say what he is accused of. Karazor had developed into a regular in midfield last season. He has completely missed the preparation for the new season as a result of his arrest. On Friday in the DFB-Pokal at third division Dynamo Dresden, the Stuttgart team will have their first competitive game. At least off the field, Karazor could have returned to his colleagues by then.