Disgraced referee Robert Hoyzer, who was found guilty of game-fixing in German soccer's biggest scandal since the 1970s, is training as a place kicker for American football team the Berlin Adlers.
Hoyzer, who took some $80,000 in bribes and a wide-screen TV to fix numerous games, received a lifetime ban from soccer and 29-month prison sentence, which is currently under appeal. He hopes to sign a contract in time for the season kickoff in April.
''I do not have a future in soccer and have considered how best to use my abilities,'' the 26-year-old said.
The president of the American Football Federation Germany is not pleased with the Adlers' welcoming of Hoyzer, but Adlers vice president Gitta Friedrich told Spiegel, ''Our federation sees Hoyzer as a criminal, but we say everyone deserves a second chance. He's left a good impression at practice.''