Podolski takes offence at radio spoof
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-20 09:37 Germany's World Cup striker
Lukas Podolski will take legal action against national broadcaster ARD over a
local radio show that makes fun of him in a spoof "Lukas's Diary" segment.
Podolski has told ARD he will not give them any more interviews until the
segment on a Cologne station is pulled. The 21-year-old feels the show makes him
out to be an idiot.
"I have a sense of humour but these jokes are below the belt," he told a news
conference on Monday. "I'm entitled to seek justice."
The German Football Association (DFB) has given full backing to Podolski,
said spokesman Harald Stenger.
"Comedy is all well and good but this is attacking his dignity," Stenger
said. "ARD will get no more interviews with Podolski until this is sorted out."
The DFB said in a statement the show pictured Podolski as an uneducated boor.
BAYERN MOVE
Podolski, who has yet to score in Germany's two matches at the World Cup, is
moving from Cologne to Bayern Munich next season.
Strike partner Miroslav Klose and coach Juergen Klinsmann came out in his
defence on Monday, after a newspaper report had hinted about a rift in the
squad.
"We're lucky to have such a natural talent in the side as Lukas Podolski,"
said Klose, who scored two of Germany's goals in their 4-2 win over Costa Rica
on the tournament's opening day.
"All I said was that maybe he was a little tense. We're aiming high and we
can all do better."
Klinsmann said the whole squad was backing Podolski to score.
"We've told him not to worry," the coach said. "He'd love to get on the
scoresheet at this World Cup and I'm sure he will."
Germany are guaranteed a place in the second round of the competition after
beating Costa Rica and Poland. The hosts need to overcome Ecuador in Berlin on
Tuesday to finish as Group A winners.
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