Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE Germans too have their football scandals. But not for them British-style bungs, cocaine-sniffing or wrecking nightclubs. Instead a top footballer has been arrested in connection with a criminal scam involving about £100,000 worth of luxury ca rs - and could be jailed for 10 years.
The Eintracht Frankfurt star, Maurizio Gaudino, who was selected for this year's World Cup squad, already had a high media profile -"women's heart-throb and football magician", in the words of Bild. Now, the story of his arrest has both damaged and addedto the legend.
The police arrested the 28-year-old just as he came offstage after appearing on the country's most popular television talk show. Add the fact that Gaudino's wife, Sonja, is about to give birth, and that they were expecting to celebrate a family Christmas, and the emotional sub-plots are tailor-made for the scriptwriters.
Gaudino - who, police said yesterday, has confessed to all charges - is accused of involvement in a ring which arranges for expensive cars to be "stolen", in order to claim insurance money. They are driven to eastern Europe and sold there.
The money is then claimed a second time, from the insurers.
At his appearance on the late-night chat show, hosted by the flamboyant Thomas Gottschalk, Gaudino danced on rollerskates with his fellow guest Katarina Witt, East Germany's former skating megastar. "Pity, Maurizio," said Gottschalk, "I'd have liked to see you fall flat on your face."
When Gaudino returned to dressing room number 33, the police were waiting. "No panic, everything's OK," the £360,000-a-year midfielder is reported to have said.
Gottschalk pointed out that the footballer's arrest went against hallowed tradition. "The usual practice is first to be arrested - and then to appear on a talk show."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments