Footballer arrested in murder suspicion after team-mate fatally poisoned

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FT Desk

A German footballer has been arrested on suspicion of murder after his team-mate was fatally poisoned last year.

The deceased TuS Rockenberg player, known as Philipp L, became ill after travelling to Dresden for an end-of-season party with his team-mates. Though he felt unwell on the trip, it was after he returned home that the situation worsened.

He died in hospital on 16 June 2025. It was initially believed that he may have eaten some rotten fish on the trip, which caused him to become ill. However, the cause of death was later established as septic multi-organ failure caused by poisoning, as reported by Need To Know.

Those investigating the player's death eventually turned their suspicions on his team-mate, known as Marius. Allegedly, the pair had been involved in a spat over a female.

Senior public prosecutor Thomas Hauburger told local media: “We assume that this was an act of revenge.”

After Marius was arrested, TuS Rockenberg’s head of football Manuel Barufe told local media: “We are all surprised and shocked. Nobody expected this. We hope the police can fully clarify what happened.”

TuS Rockenberg released an official statement which read: “After having to cope with the sudden death of a teammate in our football department last year, the events of last Tuesday have once again left us speechless.

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"None of us can currently comprehend this latest devastating blow. We are now placing our hopes in the work of the authorities and trust that the incident will be fully investigated.

"Given the extremely distressing and emotional situation for everyone involved at our club, we will not comment on the ongoing investigation. We therefore urgently and respectfully ask that players, coaches and board members are not approached for comment.

"Thank you for your understanding.”

At the time of Philipp's death, the amateur club described him as “a friend, a fighter on the pitch and a man with a big heart”.

His family remembered him for “the loud laughter, the quiet gestures and the big heart”.

Marius was due to hold a wedding ceremony with his partner but was arrested two weeks before it was set to take place.