Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 6y

DFB fines Cologne over abusive Ron-Robert Zieler chants

The German FA (DFB) has fined Cologne €7,500 after two supporters were found to have verbally abused Stuttgart goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler during a Bundesliga match earlier this month.

Ex-Leicester keeper Zieler, born in Cologne, was targeted during the second half of Stuttgart's 3-2 away win.

Supporters, one of whom appeared to be using a megaphone, shouted sentences including: "Zieler, why don't you kill yourself?" and "Your mother is related to [former Germany keeper Robert] Enke," with the shouts clearly audible on TV.

Enke took his own life in 2009, having suffered from depression for many years.

On Tuesday, the DFB announced that it had fined Cologne for "unsporting behaviour of supporters," adding that it had factored in the club's successful efforts to identify the offenders.

Earlier this month, Cologne imposed a two-year stadium ban on a man who was identified as the culprit.

"Neither the fans nor the ultras are responsible for the chants," the club said. 

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