Thomas Hitzlsperger: Spectacular turn in the power struggle at VfB Stuttgart

In the power struggle in the football Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart, there is a spectacular turnaround. The chief Executive officer of Thomas Hitzlsperger, has withdrawn his candidacy for the office of the President, surprisingly. "I'm doing this out of responsibility to our club and to my staff," says Hitzlsperger in a on Sunday released a Video Statement. "We need to restore peace in the Association. With my decision I want to do my part.“

The former German national player, Hitzlsperger was briefly announced before the new year, to apply to the office of the President against the incumbent, Claus Vogt to compete. Last had come to a head, the dirty dispute between the bailiff and the club management course. Vogt had announced in a message last Wednesday, the for the 18. To want to March the planned General meeting on September move, and wrote of "the greatest internal crisis experienced by this Association in its lively history".

As the reason for the shift Vogt called "the legitimate interests of the members", so any technical problems with the digital event, as well as the lack of a full explanation of the "data affair". This splits the stock, an order for a "legal review" at a law firm after the disclosure of members ' data to third parties had not been granted, according to Vogt yet.

A postponement of the agreed delivery date, the General Assembly would, however, violate the articles of incorporation of the Association, said the two other members of the Executive Committee Bernd Gaiser and Rainer Mutschler. There is a "discernible crack in the Bureau", a "dissent on numerous issues for quite some time".

As it goes now, is open. "We have done on every level, really great work, and we play a fantastic season. We can all be very proud of, and I want to concentrate me to continue," said Hitzlsperger on Sunday and added: "I would like to take you through my decision, the pressure from the club's Advisory Board. The then elected President, I offer today a good cooperation.“