Lukas Podolski‘s farewell game in Cologne has legal repercussions for the former national soccer striker. The 2014 world champion is threatened with a fine from the city of Cologne for setting off pyrotechnics. “We have written a report for an administrative offense. She is on the way to the city,” said a police spokesman for the German Press Agency.
50,000 spectators said goodbye to Lukas Podolski at his “thank you game” on October 10th in the stadium of his former club 1. FC Köln. After the game, he paid particular attention to the Cologne south stand. Podolski climbed the fence of the fan curve and spoke to the fans through a megaphone. “I always wanted to be honest, the boy from the street,” he said, looking at the stands. “Without you, without the fans, football is nothing. I was always a boy to you.” He then held up a burning pyroflare. The action was shown live on television and the images quickly spread on social media.
Burning off pyrotechnics in German stadiums is prohibited, but is only a criminal offense if it endangers or injures other people. According to police investigations, this was not the case. The city of Cologne is now responsible for further action and determining a fine.
Criticism of the “bad role model” Podolski
The former police director and head of operations at the Cologne stadium, Volker Lange, criticized the pyrotechnic campaign according to “Bild”: “Firstly, it is forbidden, secondly, he is a bad role model. And thirdly: someone who wants to take on responsibility at FC should also be a role model – even in points like this.”
Podolski’s future at 1. FC Köln has not yet been clarified. However, there should be talks between the 39-year-old and FC President Dr. Werner Wolf about possible tasks at FC. That would certainly be just as well received by the Cologne fans as the pyrotechnics after the game.
