Lukas Podolski held a lit flare up to fans during a testimonial match (Image: Getty)
Former Arsenal star Lukas Podolski is being investigated by German police after lighting a flare during a testimonial match. The German football icon has been slammed as a “bad role model” for the move, which came during a speech at the 50,000-capacity RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne.
Podolski took part in the event earlier this month to celebrate his lengthy and successful career. It was initially viewed as a match to make his retirement, but he has since turned out for Polish team Gornik Zabrze.
The 39-year-old gave an emotional speech to fans inside the stadium. He then lit a flare and held it up to fans sitting in the south stand.
According to German publication Bild, the incident has caught the attention of the Cologne authorities. Podolski is reportedly being investigated, with pyrotechnics prohibited from German stadia.
The punishment for breaching the administrative rule is generally a fine and a hearing. It is unclear if Podolski will be punished.
However, the 130-cap Germany forward has felt the wrath of the stadium operations manager, himself a former police director. Volker Lange has slammed the footballer as a “bad role model” for conducting the “forbidden” act.
He allegedly said: “Firstly, it is forbidden, secondly, he is a bad role model. And thirdly: Someone who will take on responsibility at FC should be a role model – also in such points.”
An emotional Podolski teared up after the game as he appeared to announce his retirement. However, he played for his Polish club at the weekend.
Lukas Podolski was given a farewell match by former club FC Koln (Image: Getty)
He said: “It’s over on the pitch now, but we’ll definitely see each other again off the pitch – whether in the stands or on the road.
“Once a Cologne fan, always a Cologne fan. It really touches me that so many fans would like to come to enjoy this special evening with me. It is an honour for me to wear the Billygoat on my chest once more in front of a full house.
“It’s a final declaration of love for this special city, the club with its fantastic fans, my team-mates for so many years and other people who have accompanied my path.”
The match provoked further controversy with the newspaper also reporting that riots took place around the stadium. It is claimed that a club employee was threatened with a knife by a Polish hooligan, while 14 officers suffered injuries.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1965965/ex-arsenal-star-investigated-by-german