Off the wire
• 18 killed in bus, lorry collision in Tanzania  • Namibia loses 12 rhinos, 11 elephants to poachers this year  • Roundup: More colleges in Kenya switch to on-line education  • Feature: Kenya's Garissa makes headlines for wrong reasons  • Feature: Gazans complain of Israeli tightened measures on trades  • Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, April 12  • China's Xinjiang sets up third prefecture-level city  • Roundup: Namibia's elusive oil - some exploration companies pack up  • Investors to subscribe shares of 30 Chinese companies  • Israel urges powers to wrestle for better nuclear deal with Iran  
You are here: 　 Home

Bayer Leverkusen dismiss defender Emir Spahic

Xinhua, April 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Bayern Leverkusen part company with defender Emir Spahic with immediate effect due to an incident in the aftermath of the German Cup, the Bundesliga club confirmed in an official statement on Sunday.

The "Werkself" and Emir Spahic mutually agreed to terminate their cooperation, which was stipulated until June 2016, following an incident in the aftermath of the German Cup exit against Bayern Munich last Wednesday.

"Emir Spahic is an outstanding player whose performances made him valued in Leverkusen. Nevertheless, in the light of recent insights of last Wednesday's incident we had no other choice," Leverkusen's CEO Michael Schade said.

A leaked video footage showed the 34-year-old defender in a brawl with the club's stewards. The club's officials immediately promised to support the complete clarification of the incident.

"The video footage that emerged into public shocked us all and made us very upset. We could no longer wait for the outcome of the legal investigations. As a consequence we talked with Emir and agreed to part ways," Schade said.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international accepted his full responsibility for the incident: "I regret my behavior after the German Cup match towards the stewards of my club Leverkusen. For my behavior I want to apologize to those affected and their families. I know that my actions caused major problems for my club. It was a great honor for me to be part of this great team. I wish my friend in the team and the whole club, as well as the outstanding supporter of Leverkusen all the very best for the great future that lies ahead of the club."

Bayer Leverkusen occupy the 4th place of the Bundesliga standings. They face Hannover for the upcoming 29th round on Saturday. Endite