St Pauli use masked man to replace manager for handshake
When the manager for German second tier club St Pauli couldn't attend the unveiling of their new star striker, officials found a replacement wearing a mask of the manager.
Missing in action
St Pauli are a German football club who play in the second tier. Their manager, Ewald Lienen, was the man usually tasked to unveil new signings but on a recent occasion he was unable to be there. Did the club delay their big news? Not a chance. They just used another man and gave him a Ewald Lienen mask to put on.
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The deal in question was that of 22-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Marvin Ducksch, and when Lienen missed the press conference officials at the club came up with this creative, if not completely full-proof, idea. Later, after being called out for the attempt, they admitted what they'd done and confirmed that a body double had been used - even giving a close up of the mask on the stand-in's head.
In case you were wondering where Ewald was .. pic.twitter.com/fMf6dsDLFV
— FC St. Pauli English (@fcstpauli_EN) June 15, 2016
The real Lienen
A statement about the player from Lienen himself was released by the club: “With Marvin we get an attacker who has good technique and a very good end product.” Ducksch added: “I am looking forward to the challenge at St Pauli.” By challenge we are hoping he means on the field and not dealing with the antics of it.