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SportsFC Rot-Weiß Erfurt: Ikene fined for debut as captain
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Sofiane Ikene (21), a young professional for FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt, was fined after making his debut as team captain on the first matchday of the Regionalliga Nordost. According to the team's fine catalog, any player serving as captain for the first time must pay a fee, which goes into the team fund for a future team evening. Ikene, who returned from a long-term cruciate ligament injury, expressed honor at receiving the captain's trust. The regular captain, Maxime Awoudja, and vice-captain Til Linus Schwarz were not in the starting lineup, allowing Ikene to lead the team. Separately, the club announced the termination of defender Nathan Fuakala's contract by mutual agreement.
Source report
This debut costs real money! Luxembourg's Sofiane Ikene (21) celebrated his first appearance as captain of FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt on the opening matchday of the Regionalliga Nordost. Afterwards, he revealed to BILD: "This means a fine for me!"
Indeed, the club has a clear policy. "That's how it's regulated in our fine catalog. Whoever stands on the pitch as captain for the first time has to pay," Ikene explained. He declined to disclose the exact amount. "At least the bonus from the first win doesn't completely cover it," he noted with a laugh.
The money goes toward a good cause. "It goes into the team fund, and we'll soon use it to have a nice team evening," Ikene said.
Awoudja Named New Captain
For Ikene, wearing the armband as a young player is a great honor. "Getting that trust isn't a given, especially since I was out injured for months," he said.
During pre-season, coach Fabian Gerber (46) presented four players to the team, from which the squad was allowed to choose their captains. Maxime Awoudja (28) won the vote, succeeding RWE homegrown talent Til Linus Schwarz (26), who finished second.
"I Was Full of Adrenaline"
Because both Awoudja and Schwarz were not in the starting lineup on the first matchday, youngster Ikene was allowed to lead the team onto the field. He had been out injured since November 2025.
"It was a big moment for me to play here in this stadium again for the first time. I was full of adrenaline," he admitted.
His cruciate ligament tear has healed well, and Ikene reports no problems at all. He feels strong support from the team, as the captain's vote demonstrates: "I accept this role wholeheartedly and want to give the team back that trust," he said.
Fuakala Departs
Meanwhile, Nathan Fuakala (25) is no longer with the team. RWE and the central defender, who joined Erfurt last October, have agreed to terminate his contract.
"After joint discussions, both sides came to the decision to end the collaboration and thus give him the opportunity to dedicate himself to a new sporting challenge," the promotion candidate stated in an official announcement.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Ikene Fined for Captaincy Debut at FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt