Urgent letter by EBEL League Executives to HK Acroni Jesenice

URGENT!!!!

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Vienna, January 20th 2012

HK Acroni Jesenice/Participation in the Qualification Round 2012/Future of HKA in the Erste Bank EIshockey Liga

Dear Functionaires, Stakeholders, Players and Coaches of HK Acroni Jesenice!

Dear Ladies and Gentleman!

After our Meeting on Wednesday, January 17th 2011 in Jesenice with President Mr. Kanalec, Headcoach Heikki Mälkiä and Capitain Andrej Tavzelj – finishing with a handshake-agreement to join forces to solve the current problems, we unfortunately did not receive a answer to our yesterdays letter to the Club and the President of HK-Acroni Jesenice.

Since we where informed from the Acroni-Webpage and some mediareports about the fact that the President and Boardmembers stepped down in the last two days, the Presidency of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and the Austrian Icehockey Federation is deeply concerned about the status of HK Acroni Jesenice to finish the current Season in a sportive way and competing in the upcoming Qualification Round.

We urgently ask for response to our Letters and Messages and even to our Phone Calls. At the moment there is nobody except Players and Coaches we can talk to.

The Presidency and the Directorate of the EBEL and the Austrian Icehockey Federation has a lot of respect for the players and coaches which kept on playing also under the unfortunate circumstances.

Before the start of qualification round starting in less than 48 hours on Sunday, January 22nd – 17:30 hours the League has to get guarantees that the Club is able to finish the season playing all 8 games of the qualification round respecting:  

1. Confirmation of the Club/Sponsor that all necessary funds will be available to balance the open financial obligations to players and coaches

2. Confirmation that all necessary equipment for the team can be provided

3. Confirmation that Transport to the Away-games is secured

4. Confirmation that all necessary services to establish a Erste Bank Eishockey Liga Game in the HK Acroni-Arena (Security Service/Medical Care Service) is available

5. Confirmation of the Headcoach and Leading Players that they are willing and able to finish the season with playing all games of the Qualification round and possible PlayOff Game

If we receive no response from Functionaires or Stakeholders of the Club, the Slovenian Icehockey Federation, the City of Jesenice and/or the Mainsponsors of the Red Steelers till Sunday, January 22nd 2012/14:00 the Presidency of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and the Austrian Icehockey Federation have to withdraw the Team from the Qualification Round and Disqualify HK Acroni Jesenice from League Play.

The future of HK Acroni Jesenice in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga is at stake.

The Presidency of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and the Austrian Icehockey Federation does-for sure- not like to disqualify our first international Club playing since already 6 Seasons in our Multinational League.

We have deep respect for the Players, Coaches, Functionaires and Fans of HK Acroni Jesenice being a reliable part of our Erste Bank-League – Family especially in this difficult economic situation.

We are Goodwill to take any action possible to help your Club, Players and Coaches to finish the current season in the normal way and after playing the Season to the End also providing the chance for a participation in the EBEL-Season 2012/2013. But for this we need your response and reliable partners to talk to.

Our Managing Director Christian Feichtinger (christian.feichtinger@erstebankliga.at/+43 664 2005 760) is on your disposal at any time to hopefully find a solution for this unfortunate Situation.

With sportive regards,

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