Schalke suspend midfielder Max Meyer

BERLIN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The "Royal Blues" have suspended departing Max Meyer after the midfielder criticised Schalke's management, the Bundesliga club announced in an official statement on Monday.

Meyer gave the Bild newspaper an interview in which he criticised those responsible at Schalke.

The midfielder said in an unauthorized interview that he leaves Schalke because he "no longer wanted to work under" sporting director Christian Heidel. He complained, among other things, that he feels "bullied" recently.

The reason for the current strife is that Meyer turned down two contract-extension offers by Schalke. Hence, the 22-year-old midfielder felt that his playing time has been limited and that the club turned the back on him.

Schalke reacted on Meyer's unauthorized interview and suspended him from training with immediate effect until the end of the season.

"Max Meyer will not participate in the training sessions of the professional team in the next two weeks until the end of the season. He will hence not be fielded anymore. His contract with Schalke expires at the end of the season," reads the club statement.

Besides, sporting director Christian Heidel vehemently rejects Meyer's accusations. "We can not tolerate this procedure and these statements. We reject the bullying allegations in the strongest terms. Schalke have always behaved correctly towards Max Meyer."

Meyer is a homegrown Schalke talent who played since 2009 for the "Knappen". He made ever since 146 appearances and provided 17 goals.

The midfielder's performances in Schalke earned him a spot in Germany's national team. He made his international debut for Germany against Poland in May 2014 and played four caps to mark one goal.

As of yet, it is not announced which team Meyer will join for the next season on a free transfer.

Schalke sit currently on the 2nd place of the standings. They encounter Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt in the last two rounds in Bundesliga. Enditem