The 1. FC Köln Files
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09 Personae

Personae Non Gratae — 1. FC Köln

Michael Ballack - the “Capitano”: but in Köln, simply “not one of us”.

The Unwanted

Michael Ballack - the “Capitano”: but in Köln,

Michael Ballack - the “Capitano”: but in Köln, simply “not one of us”.

simply “not one of us”. Ballack became synonymous with Bayer Leverkusen’s rise between 1999 and 2002. After a 2-0 win over Schalke in March 2011, he was finished in Köln when he used a megaphone on the fence at the BayArena to chant “Scheiß FC Köln” twice. The DFB fined him 8,000 euros.

The words could not be unsaid, and even his later apology changed nothing.

From that point on, Ballack was persona non grata in Cologne.

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Ralph Hasenhüttl - gifted away to Fürth: Austrians

Ralph Hasenhüttl - gifted away to Fürth: Austrians generally feel quite at home in the cathedral city - think Toni Polster or coach Peter Stöger.

generally feel quite at home in the cathedral city - think Toni Polster or coach Peter Stöger. One alpine footballer, however, did not. Ralph Hasenhüttl arrived in 1998 to fire FC straight back up after the first relegation.

The plan failed.

In 41 second-division matches, the striker from Graz scored only three times and was allowed to leave for Greuther Fürth on a free. “Lucky for FC,” as the Rheinische Post put it.

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Also in the Akte network

Same chapter · other clubs
Akte Paderborn Skandalclub unter Weiden Akte BVB Die westfälische Trainer-Schaukel Akte Bayern Von der Lokalgröße zum Weltverein Akte Leverkusen Meister. Titel? Äh... Mist.

Dark Chapters

Oliver Held - the hand: from Köln’s point

Oliver Held - the hand: from Köln’s point of view, the Schalke midfielder’s hand is still to blame for the club’s first-ever relegation.

of view, the Schalke midfielder’s hand is still to blame for the club’s first-ever relegation. On 29 April 1998, in a rearranged matchday game, FC had the chance to gain breathing room in the relegation battle. In the 80th minute René Tretschok fired towards goal from 14 metres; with Jens Lehmann beaten, Oliver Held reacted instinctively and pushed the ball over the bar - with his hand.

The gross unsporting act went unpunished, not least because Held lied when the referee questioned him.

Köln lost 1-0 and those three points they might have gained there ultimately proved the difference. Held later admitted as much.

Toni Polster’s curse was fittingly colourful: may Held have no luck ever again in life.

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DFL Licence Check

KOE · FY 2023-24
Equity positive
€25.9M
Pass
Equity ratio > 30%
28.2%
+-1.8 pts margin
Liabilities < 50%
41.2%
8.8 pts margin
Full balance sheet →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the most controversial figures at Koeln?
1. FC Koeln has also experienced controversial personalities — people who harmed or divided the club.
Which players fell from grace at Koeln?
From forced departures to public feuds — the unwanted figures in the club's history.
Were there major controversies at Koeln?
The biggest personal controversies at 1. FC Koeln are examined in this chapter.
What does Personae Non Gratae cover?
Michael Ballack - the “Capitano”: but in Köln, simply “not one of us”.
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