From the ÖFB team to the Häfn
Kuljic: “I couldn’t handle the money”
He was at the center of what is probably the biggest manipulation scandal in Austrian soccer to date and, as a 20-time ÖFB team player, was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison for serious fraud, extortion and coercion - today Sanel Kuljić is a free man who wants to use his own example to warn young footballers in particular! Because "it's always about the money - and if you can't handle it, then you get into these things ..."
As the now 47-year-old Kuljić revealed in the ServusTV program "Sport und Talk aus dem Hangar 7", his path to disaster began at the age of 16 - when his father died. "I had a wonderful childhood - but then my father died. That was the one person I looked up to." Suddenly that person was no longer there, "that was the first time I didn't know a way out".
"... but I wanted to spend 4000 euros!"
He was then completely "out of the picture" for a while, was able to fight his way back and make it into professional soccer, but: "What happened during that time was difficult to repair. In other words, I couldn't handle money. I earned 3000 euros, but I wanted to spend 4000 euros."
"Much more simply needs to be done!"
It's definitely a big issue, says Kuljić, young footballers are not taught to be aware of money issues, "not even at school, I think a lot more needs to be done". But the players themselves also have to listen to others, "their parents, grandparents or siblings" - in Kuljić's case, the person he would have listened to, his father, unfortunately died all too young ...
"I really had a lot of time to think!"
Kuljić is now at peace with his conviction and time in prison. "I was guilty and have now served my time. I've had a lot of time to think, definitely," says the former Austria and Wiener Neustadt striker. Speaking of which: even as a 47-year-old, Kuljić is still active on the green turf, or is back on it - in Salzburg's 2nd division south, with Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
"I want to pass on my experience, not just on a sporting level, but also as a person. Simply guide the lads a bit in one direction, what's good, what's bad ..."
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