The fallout from the meeting two weeks ago between European League of Football Commissioner Patrick Esume and American Football Association of Germany, AFVD, president Fuad Merdanovic was not long in coming.
First Esume cancelled the transfer agreement between ELF and the AFVD and now the AFVD has responded. They announced Sunday that they have relieved Shuan Fatah of his duties as head coach of Germany’s men’s national team.
According to the statement, during a meeting of the AFVD General Assembly which involved all the German state associations, a vote was held to determine Fatah’s future with the national team. A clear majority voted to end the partnership with Fatah with immediate effect.
Excerpt from the statement:
In the future, the position of the federal coach will be filled by a person who is completely focused on this task, without simultaneously coaching another team – regardless of their league affiliation.
Andreas Kegelmann, AFVD vice president:
“The requirements for the national team are high, and a double burden cannot be agreed with these demands in the long term. We thank Shuan Fatah for his successful volunteer work and wish him all the best for the future.”
Esume met with Merdanovic two weeks ago and following that meeting he cancelled the transfer agreement between the European League of Football and the AFVD. This means that players from clubs in the GFL can join ELF teams at any time without fear of a transfer ban. The decision lies solely with the players.
Fatah had announced in September that he would be coaching the ELF team, the Hamburg Sea Devils, in the upcoming season.
Under Fatah, Team Germany had returned to international competition and reached the semifinals of the 2024/2025 IFAF Men’s European Championship after beating Sweden to win its group. Germany is scheduled to play Austria next year.
