300,000 euros at stake

Arrest warrant against former Bayern Munich professional

(Bild: AFP)

Christian Lell was a professional footballer until 2016, playing for FC Bayern, Cologne and Hertha BSC, among others. His professional life after the end of his career has been less successful, however, and an arrest warrant has now even been issued for the 39-year-old.

According to the German newspaper "Bild", Lell's construction company has already been convicted in seven cases, including having to pay 15,000 euros to a plaintiff. As neither the German-Austrian nor his lawyer appeared for court hearings, several default judgments were imposed on Lell, five of which are said to be legally binding. According to the Munich I Regional Court, the claims in question amount to 300,000 euros.

"Measures not known"
Lell is said to have handed over unfinished properties to buyers, and tax consultants and tradesmen have also sued the former legal defense lawyer. Claims from Lell's property development activities have now resulted in an arrest warrant, although the former footballer's lawyers are keen to state: "Our client is not aware of any measures. Despite the ongoing real estate crisis, Lell Holding has successfully completed numerous construction projects in recent years, creating new living space in Munich and the surrounding area. In Straßlach-Dingharting alone, 40 residential units were successfully realized and handed over to the buyers ready for occupancy."

Lell, who has now sold his holding company to "a large German real estate company", regrets the overlapping of payment deadlines and the sales process, "but it is pleasing that we have managed to save the holding company. The past has shown that some people, such as Rene Benko, had a different experience."