Is Lucerne in financial trouble?: Alpstaeg offers FCL a package worth millions – and makes demands

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In the dispute between FC Luzern and shareholder Bernhard Alpstaeg, it was the club management that recently had its say. There were allegations of fraud and lawsuits filed.

Now it’s Alpstaeg’s turn again. And the 78-year-old actually reached out on Friday – in the form of a letter. He assumes that the FCL is in a precarious financial situation. But the entrepreneur is helpful and wants to help the club.

Alpstaeg sees Lucerne as a plea for restructuring

According to Bernhard Alpstaeg, FC Luzern-Innerschweiz AG had a significant deficit of 4.7 million francs in the 2022/2023 financial year. In total, the AG has suffered a loss of 10 million francs over the past three seasons. And the club’s equity is now minus 8 million francs.

Because the AG will also generate a deficit next year, a “stabilization package of 25 million francs” is needed for the next five seasons, Alpstaeg claims. And this is exactly where the investor wants to come into play.

“I am willing to contribute 4.16 million francs to this renovation. This corresponds to my 52 percent share in the share capital of FCL Holding AG.” However, the board of directors must first fully recognize Alpstaeg’s share package. As a reminder, FCL’s board of directors is convinced that the sale of Walter Stierli’s shares to Alpstaeg in 2015 was not legal. That is why 25 percent of Alpstaeg’s share is currently blocked.

Alpstaeg continues in his letter dated Friday. He is even prepared to inject the 8 million from the share shortage himself if the other shareholders do not want to participate in the supposedly necessary restructuring. To this end, Alpstaeg proposes a new composition of the board of directors. According to the investor, all shareholder groups should be represented there in the future.

The FCL wants to respond on Saturday

The message behind the letter is clear: Alpstaeg is putting pressure on those responsible at FCL. At the same time, the investor positions himself as a financial ‘lifeline’.

But are the numbers Alpstaeg is juggling correct? According to spokesperson Sacha Waagdorovits, Bernhard Alpstaeg is referring to the latest audit report, which is already available. However, these figures are not yet official. They will only be published during the regular general meeting on November 16.

At FC Luzern, nothing is being said for the time being about Alpstaeg’s advance. However, spokesman Markus Krienbühl told the “Luzerner Zeitung” that he would comment on the latest letter on Saturday.

By the way, football is still played in Lucerne, but only on Sundays. Then the Central Swiss team meets the Zurich Grasshoppers (kick-off 2.15 pm, live on the ticker).

Source : Blick