Personae Non Gratae
The "Capitano": But in Köln, very much "not one of us." The midfielder was synonymous with Bayer Leverkusen's rise between 1999 and 2002. After a 2-0 home win by Leverkusen against Schalke 04 in March 2011, Ballack fell from grace in Köln when he celebrated on the fan fence — a gesture the Effzeh faithful never forgave…
Given away to Fürth: Austrians usually feel quite at home in the Cathedral City — think of FC legend Toni Polster or coach Peter Stöger. But one Alpine professional did not: Ralph Hasenüttl. That the man from Graz led the FC to their first Bundesliga return in 2000 is a footnote few remember today…
The hand: From Köln's perspective, the hand of Schalke midfielder Oliver Held is still to blame for the club's first-ever relegation. On April 29, 1998, the relegation-threatened Cathedral City side had the big chance to gain breathing room — but Held's controversial handball went unpenalised, sealing Köln's fate…
