Robert Lewandowski’s golden boy reputation stands to be tarnished in the face of mounting accusations that allege he illegally obtained two diplomas from a private university in Łódź.
Writing on X, Dr. Barbara Mrozińska, a former lecturer at the Higher School of Health Education and Social Services (WSEZiNS), accused Lewandowski of “buying a diploma” after she found out that he had “passed” two exams under her watch.
Although the Barcelona striker earned two Cs, Mrozińska says that she never saw the Polish international attend class or exams.
Speaking in an interview with Onet, Mrozińska said: “His grade papers show that he passed two subjects under me, but that’s definitely not the case. I would have remembered such a famous student.”
According to documents, Lewandowski first earned a bachelor’s degree and then later defended his master’s thesis via video conference on March 24, 2018 - one day after Poland beat Nigeria 1-0, and three days before beating South Korea 3-2.
Cezary Kucharski, his former agent, said: “It is unbelievable to think that he was studying for diplomas in Łódź while I was his manager. During his visits to Poland, he didn’t even have time for his family or sponsors, so how could he have found time to be secretly studying? It’s absurd.”
Lewandowski had reportedly specialized in “entrepreneurship and management in social and educational services”, however, it has since emerged that his wife, Anna Lewandowska, was spotted receiving a briefcase at the National Stadium from a man identified as Zbigniew D.
Zbigniew D., who acted as chancellor of the now defunct WSEZiNS, has since been implicated in the supply of diplomas in exchange for cash and is currently on trial in Gdańsk.
Long brewing, the scandal has now blown up spectacularly following Mrozińska’s revelations.
Earlier, UEFA vice president Zbigniew Boniek weighed in. Writing on X, Boniek said: “I do not think that Robert Lewandowski is the only one who bought his education. The list of athletes could be long. Why do they do it? Good question.”
Seemingly incredulous, Boniek added: “Why does he even need it [the diploma]. I doubt that Bayern would have told him to f**k off if he didn’t have a master’s degree.”
The qualifications from Łódź are not the only ones to Lewandowski’s name.
In 2017, Lewandowski wrote a thesis on himself titled ‘RL 9, Path to Glory’ and completed undergraduate studies at Warsaw’s School of Education in Sports. Labeled an “excellent” student by one of his professors, the legendary forward earned a Master’s from the same college three years later.
While the veracity of these Warsaw qualifications has not been disputed, the Łódź allegations have left Lewandowski’s camp scrambling. His team, though, deny any wrongdoing and are adamant that Lewandowski will clear his name.
“At this stage we can only confirm that we have received information from the District Prosecutor’s Office that Robert Lewandowski will be questioned as a witness [in the trial of Zbigniew D.],” said a spokesman.
“We are in the process of setting a date and we want it to happen as quickly as possible,” he added. “After he is questioned, we will be able to comment more broadly. We have nothing to hide, but we want to maintain a formal path and answer the prosecutor's questions first.”
Although the Barcelona striker earned two Cs, Mrozińska says that she never saw the Polish international attend class or exams.
Speaking in an interview with Onet, Mrozińska said: “His grade papers show that he passed two subjects under me, but that’s definitely not the case. I would have remembered such a famous student.”
According to documents, Lewandowski first earned a bachelor’s degree and then later defended his master’s thesis via video conference on March 24, 2018 - one day after Poland beat Nigeria 1-0, and three days before beating South Korea 3-2.
Cezary Kucharski, his former agent, said: “It is unbelievable to think that he was studying for diplomas in Łódź while I was his manager. During his visits to Poland, he didn’t even have time for his family or sponsors, so how could he have found time to be secretly studying? It’s absurd.”
Lewandowski had reportedly specialized in “entrepreneurship and management in social and educational services”, however, it has since emerged that his wife, Anna Lewandowska, was spotted receiving a briefcase at the National Stadium from a man identified as Zbigniew D.
Zbigniew D., who acted as chancellor of the now defunct WSEZiNS, has since been implicated in the supply of diplomas in exchange for cash and is currently on trial in Gdańsk.
Long brewing, the scandal has now blown up spectacularly following Mrozińska’s revelations.
Earlier, UEFA vice president Zbigniew Boniek weighed in. Writing on X, Boniek said: “I do not think that Robert Lewandowski is the only one who bought his education. The list of athletes could be long. Why do they do it? Good question.”
Seemingly incredulous, Boniek added: “Why does he even need it [the diploma]. I doubt that Bayern would have told him to f**k off if he didn’t have a master’s degree.”
The qualifications from Łódź are not the only ones to Lewandowski’s name.
In 2017, Lewandowski wrote a thesis on himself titled ‘RL 9, Path to Glory’ and completed undergraduate studies at Warsaw’s School of Education in Sports. Labeled an “excellent” student by one of his professors, the legendary forward earned a Master’s from the same college three years later.
While the veracity of these Warsaw qualifications has not been disputed, the Łódź allegations have left Lewandowski’s camp scrambling. His team, though, deny any wrongdoing and are adamant that Lewandowski will clear his name.
“At this stage we can only confirm that we have received information from the District Prosecutor’s Office that Robert Lewandowski will be questioned as a witness [in the trial of Zbigniew D.],” said a spokesman.
“We are in the process of setting a date and we want it to happen as quickly as possible,” he added. “After he is questioned, we will be able to comment more broadly. We have nothing to hide, but we want to maintain a formal path and answer the prosecutor's questions first.”
Source: Onet / Gazeta Wyborcza
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