German striker sued for slapping his teammate
Published: 07 April, 2009, 17:56
Michael Ballack and Lukas Podolski (L) (AFP Photo / Andrew Yates)
An unknown person has sued German footballer Lukas Podolski over a conflict with his teammate Michael Ballack during a World Cup 2010 qualifier against Wales last week, AFP news agency reports.
Podolski plays for the Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, but the lawsuit was filed in a court in Cologne, where Podolski is registered and where he started his professional career in 2001. The city’s prosecutor said that the case against Podolski will be considered by his department.
The striker slapped Ballack in the second half of the game in Cardiff after the German captain criticized his actions on the field.
He later apologized and called his behavior “idiotic".
The German Football Union (DFB) has fined the forward € 5.000, with the sum to be given to charity.
Germany, Russia’s main rival for first place in Group 4 in the World Cup 2010 qualifying round, won the match 2-0. Ironically, it was Ballack, who opened the scoring with a beautiful long-range effort.
The Germans top the group with 16 points after 6 games. Guus Hiddink’s Russian team sits second with 12 points and a game in hand.
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