Lech Poznań is set to transition from its decade-long partnership with the Football Academy, sparking controversy and legal disputes over the ending of their collaboration. The culmination of their agreement on December 31, 2024, has led to significant changes for both parties.
Football Academy, one of the largest youth football schools with over 14,000 young athletes, was founded through a partnership with Lech Poznań back in 2014. The goal was to create opportunities for youth development through football. According to Radosław Soperczak, the president of Football Academy, the initial contract was established for 20 years. He contends, "the Polish legal system did not guarantee us fair resolution, so we agreed to Lech's proposal". This statement came after the Poznań club announced it wouldn’t extend the agreement, referencing amendments made back in 2018 to shorten the collaboration to 10 years.
The dispute escalated when Soperczak accused Lech Poznań of forcing the reduction of their partnership agreement, stating, "Members of the board delegated by Lech misled training facility directors, hinting at the formation of a new entity," which he claims violates the foundation's statutes.
Lech Poznań, through its spokesperson Maciej Henszel, refuted these claims, insisting no agreement was ever set for 20 years and asserting, "It was initially open-ended and later defined to terminate at the end of 2024." Henszel explained the management had acted within their rights, following proper protocols.
The conflict over the terms of cooperation led to Soperczak's decision to report to the prosecutor's office for potential economic damage caused by individuals affiliated with Lech, including club president Piotr Rutkowski and another representative, Robert Śliwowski. The report cites the possibility of actions contravening Article 296 of the Polish Penal Code, concerning economic harm.
Henszel emphasized, "We deem these allegations entirely unfounded and without any sense." Despite the tensions, Henszel confirmed the staff under Soperczak primarily had contracts ending on December 31, and no new agreements were officially validated without the appropriate signatures.
On January 1, 2025, Lech Poznań officially began its new initiative, Lech Future, which aims to continue offering youth football development under their banner. Sporting activities will now cater to children aged 2 to 15, focusing on providing a welcoming environment led by Lech’s training staff. Parents will have the chance to enroll their kids with free initial training sessions, and if their children join the program afterwards, they will benefit from exclusive club merchandise, match tickets, and discounts on tickets for families.
Lech Poznań allocated nearly 17 million zloty for the development of sports infrastructure within Poznań, signaling their commitment to enhancing youth football programs. Plans include constructing new training facilities aimed at enriching the community’s sporting culture.
Despite the shift, Football Academy continues to maintain its dedication to fostering young talents. They released a statement urging support from the football community, emphasizing their goal to provide every child the chance to develop their passion for the sport, stating: "Every child who dreams of stepping onto the field deserves the opportunity to do so so they can realize their sports dreams."
The generated conflict over the terms of the agreement and the foundation's urgent plea for support is expected to draw attention, as stakeholders analyze the impact of these shifts on future youth development programs within Poznań.