Hamburg and Berlin – The German public broadcaster ARD and investigative journalist Hajo Seppelt have secured legal victories against the Deutsche Eisschnelllauf- und Shorttrack-Gemeinschaft (DESG), the German ice skating and short track federation, in two separate court cases. The rulings, handed down by courts in Hamburg and Berlin, stem from disputes related to ARD’s reporting following the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and allegations made by DESG President Matthias Große.
The legal battles center on the accuracy and fairness of ARD’s coverage of the DESG, particularly concerning the circumstances surrounding the departure of former national team coach Peter Müller. The DESG had taken issue with a report detailing Müller’s claim that he remained unclear about the reasons for his contract not being renewed after the 2023/24 season. According to the DESG, the ARD’s reporting misrepresented the situation.
However, the Hamburg Regional Court dismissed the DESG’s claims of infringement on its corporate personality rights, stating that the reporting did not present untrue factual assertions but rather constituted a permissible expression of opinion. The court specifically found that the ARD’s coverage of the matter was within acceptable journalistic boundaries. This ruling builds upon a previous decision by the Hamburg court that largely affirmed the ARD’s Olympic coverage related to the DESG.
In a separate case heard in Berlin, Seppelt obtained an interim injunction against the DESG and Große himself, related to what the court deemed to be false statements made by the DESG President. Große had reportedly made claims about Seppelt’s reporting methods, alleging that the journalist had ambushed athletes at the ice rink. The court found these claims to be unsubstantiated.
ARD Sport Coordinator Axel Balkausky welcomed the court decisions, stating, “These decisions fully confirm ARD’s reporting and prohibit Mr. Große from making untenable statements about the function of Hajo Seppelt.” Balkausky further emphasized the importance of investigative sports journalism, adding, “After the Hamburg Regional Court previously largely confirmed the ARD’s Olympic coverage of the DESG in preliminary proceedings, I see the investigative sports reporting of ARD and the team around Hajo Seppelt strengthened once again. We welcome all these court decisions extremely much.”
The disputes highlight the ongoing tensions between the DESG and ARD, particularly regarding the federation’s transparency and accountability. Seppelt has a long history of investigating issues within German sports, often uncovering controversies related to doping and governance. His work has frequently drawn criticism from sports officials who accuse him of biased reporting.
The legal outcomes are likely to embolden ARD and Seppelt to continue their investigative reporting on the DESG and other sports organizations. The rulings also serve as a reminder to sports federations of the importance of factual accuracy when responding to media inquiries and making public statements. The DESG has not yet publicly commented on the latest court decisions.
The implications of these rulings extend beyond this specific case. They reinforce the protections afforded to journalists in Germany and underscore the importance of a free press in holding sports organizations accountable. The case also raises questions about the leadership of Matthias Große and the direction of the DESG, particularly in light of the court’s findings regarding his statements about Seppelt.
Looking ahead, the DESG faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with the media and the public. The federation will demand to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and cooperation if it hopes to move forward from this contentious period. The next major event for the DESG is the World Cup short track competition scheduled for November 2026 in Dresden, Germany. It remains to be seen how these legal battles will impact the federation’s preparations for and participation in the event.
The ongoing scrutiny from ARD and other media outlets will undoubtedly continue to shape the narrative surrounding the DESG. For fans of German ice skating and short track, these developments raise important questions about the future of the sport and the integrity of its governing body.
