Servette bankruptcy scandal continues

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The scandal surrounding the bankruptcy of the club has widened following a second arrest. Police said ex-club director Olivier Maus had been detained, two days after the arrest of former president Marc Roger. Like Roger, Maus is accused of mismanagement of the club, which was declared bankrupt early last month, with debts estimated at around US$9.5m. Maus, who has been connected with the club for 30 years, was arrested in Geneva. The millionaire businessman is heir to one of the biggest fortunes in Switzerland, and his family own the Manor and Jumbo store chains. Following his arrest, Maus was expected to be questioned by investigating magistrate Marc Tappolet. Police announced the arrest of former club president Roger is on charges of bankruptcy fraud, mismanagement and breach of trust. Roger took over as president and main shareholder of the club in February 2004, when the club was in a deep financial crisis. With the backing of Spanish investors and the French international, Claude Makelele, Servette boosted their budget to almost US$10.5m for the new season. But the club filed for creditor protection in January this year, citing massive debts. The club was officially declared bankrupt on February 4 and expelled from the Super League, ending an unbroken 115-year stay in the top division. After that deal fell through, Roger said he had lined up a group of unnamed Syrian investors who were willing to pump millions into the club. But in a news release published on the club's website, these investors said too many hurdles had got in the way of their bid. They added that talks with Roger had been difficult. The final nail in the coffin came a fortnight later when the club said it would not be appealing against the bankruptcy ruling.