“There are things that can be clarified”
The team reacted to Cologne-Profi: This is how the team reacted
14.05.2025 – 6:12 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Shortly before the season finale, the focus is particularly on Tim Lemperle. Cologne coach Friedhelm Funkel now explains how the team reacted to the assault.
“There are things that can be clarified. Then it has to be good,” said Funkel of the “Bild” newspaper on Wednesday. “We are now calm, that’s the most important thing. Very clear statement: we have completed the topic.” However, the 70-year-old also emphasized that the team was critically dealt with with the incident: “Of course, the boys said that Tim’s behavior was wrong. But it is not now that any punishments are required.”
What had happened anyway? On Sunday, two days after the 2-1 win in Nuremberg, Lemperle is said to have been present on the party ship “Rhein Roxy” in Rodenkirchen, writes the “Bild” newspaper. The strongly alcoholized striker got together with another guest. According to the report, the dispute already seemed settled.
But when Lemperle left the ship shortly after 9 p.m., his adversary waited for him. The result: the man is said to have hit the 23-year-old professional with his fist in the face, with it added a broken nose, a laceration and a concussion. A police spokesman confirmed the “Bild” on Sunday: “An advertisement has been received. We are investigating unknown persons for assault.” The suspect is fleeting.
For 1. FC Köln, the promotion to the Bundesliga is on Sunday. Against Kaiserslautern, the Rhinelander only need one point to make the direct return perfect. Lemperle will leave the club after this season. So far, it is unclear whether he will be fit again against Lautern. Coach Funkel said, however: “It sounds a little more optimistic now. He has already trained individually. The likelihood that it will be out is still great – we just have to wait.”