Bundesliga

WALDEMAR ANTON made a sudden exit in a huge cup match – apparently to rush to the toilet.The Stuttgart star made a swift retreat in the DFB-Pokal semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Waldemar Anton went to ground during the DFB-Pokal semi-finalCredit: https://twitter.com/nahuelmirandada/status/1653868389419347969/photo/1
The Stuttgart defender then headed off the pitchCredit: https://twitter.com/nahuelmirandada/status/1653868389419347969/photo/1
And headed straight to the toiletCredit: https://twitter.com/nahuelmirandada/status/1653868389419347969/photo/1
Anton, 26, had gone down in the second half and initially appeared to be injured and was checked on by team-mate Josha Vagnoman.
But once he had asked to be substituted he ran off the pitch and sprinted down the tunnel – before his replacement could even come on.
He never returned to the field and was eventually replaced by Enzo Millot three minutes later in the 63rd minute of the clash.
German outlet Bild claim that Anton “probably” went to the toilet after his quick sprint off the pitch.
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The report says he missed the team’s final training session before the match.
And his presence was missed as Stuggart lost the cup match 3-2 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Stuggart had taken the lead in the 19th minute through Tiago Tomas but fell behind after two goals in four minutes from Frankfurt duo Evan Ndicka and Daichi Kamada.
Randal Kolo Muani then extended the lead from the spot in the 77th minute.
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Millot then got his side back into the game as he netted in the 83rd minute.
However, hopes of a comeback were ended two minutes later as Borna Sosa received his second yellow card as was sent off.
Frankfurt will now face RB Leipzig in the final of the competition after they beat Freiburg in the other semi-final. More

A BIZARRE video has emerged of Thomas Tuchel appearing to pull down Sadio Mane’s shorts during training.The Senegalese international was caught unaware by his Bayern Munich boss while standing with his arms folded talking to one of the coaching staff.
Sadio Mane was talking to a member of staff when he was caught by surprise by his managerCredit: REddit
Thomas Tuchel surprised the Bayern ace by pulling down his shortsCredit: Reddit
With the camera pointing at him in the middle of the training pitch, Tuchel sneaks up behind the forward and tugs at his blue shorts, pulling one side half-way down.
Fortunately for the 31-year-old, his quick reactions prevented any embarrassment, but he delivered a stern look as his manager trudged off as if nothing had happened.
One fan reacted to the clip on social media commented: “I don’t think Tuchel knows Mane long enough for this.”
Another wrote: “Man has lost the plot.”
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While another said: “Lmao this keeps making me laugh with how simple and unexpected it is.” 
The incident comes just a week after Ex-Chelsea coach Tuchel, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann at Bayern in March, declared the troubles between Mane and Leroy Sane had been resolved.
The two players were involved in a heated exchange following the defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.
Sane was believed to be left with a bloodied lip after the former Liverpool star reportedly punched him.
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Mane was fined and banned for one game.
But Tuchel recently said: “That’s settled. A game and a fine are the consequences of what happened.
“I didn’t see it myself because I was in the coaching room. Of course, I immediately spoke to everyone involved, the players and the staff,.
“Because it concerned us and because it was a blatant incident, it was important that we clarify the matter before we start the next training session.
“We have cleared up everything so that we can train positively with each other again.”
Mane led the line while Sane came off the bench as Bayern defeated Hertha Berlin 2-0 at the weekend to move back into top spot.
They currently sit a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga with four games remaining. More

FORMER Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness turned up at the club’s training ground to speak to Thomas Tuchel as pressure grows on the manager. The ex-Chelsea boss has made a bad start to life at the German champions, winning just two of his seven matches.
Bayern Munich hero Uli Hoeness met with Thomas TuchelCredit: Rex
Uli Hoeness is supposedly back involved at BayernCredit: Getty
Thomas Tuchel is under pressure to win the BundesligaCredit: Getty
Recent defeats have seen the club fall one point behind league leaders Borussia Dortmund in the title race and they have also crashed out of the domestic cup and Champions League.
There is growing concern from Bayern chiefs over form and Hoeness was pictured at the training ground in deep conversation with Tuchel.
Sky Sports in Germany claim that the 71-year-old is becoming more involved with club again and trying to work out where the issues are.
Hoeness was general manager for 30 years and president in two spells from 2002 to 2005 and 2016 to 2019.
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There are rumours circulating that Tuchel could be sacked if Bayern fail to win the Bundesliga this season.
After the weekend’s 3-1 loss to Mainz, members of the hierarchy “did a Todd Boehly” and entered the dressing room to speak to the players and staff.
CEO Oliver Kahn was pictured leading the group, which included sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and chairman Herbert Hainer.
They are under pressure after their surprise axing of Julian Naglesmann.
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Tuchel has slammed his side for their inconsistent performances, saying: “We seem exhausted. We look like a team that has already played 80 games this season.
“We are not able to play football without making mistakes.
“The games and the points go away and run through our hands like sand.” More

A FORMER Bayern Munich star has fled to America to escape death threats after the government seized his house.Former Iran international Ali Karimi won a German league and cup double with Bayern in 2006.
Ali Karimi fled to the USA to escape death threats from IranCredit: Reuters
He scored four goals in 42 appearances across two seasons for the Bavarian giants and also played for Schalke as well as top clubs in Iran, UAE and Qatar.
Playmaker Karimi won 127 caps and captained Iran.
But the 44-year-old has come under fire since publicly supporting anti-government protests in Iran last year.
Dubai-based Karimi was charged in his absence with encouraging riots, and the Iranian state seized his house near Tehran.
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The former striker-turned-coach has now moved to the USA for his own safety.
He revealed his plight via video link during an event at Germany’s Football Museum on Monday.
Karimi said: “I have received death threats from various quarters.
“For this reason, I have felt compelled to move even further away from Iran.
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“I had moved to Dubai, and now I have had to relocate once again.
“It is a dreadful feeling to have to live in exile.”
Karimi had lent his support to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement that rose to prominence after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in Iranian police custody in September 2022.
He added: “I hope the movement is successful. International players always have a place in their fans’ hearts.
“When you have a platform like this, to my mind it is every sportsman’s duty to stand up against social concerns.
“It is my wish that every athlete finds themselves on the right side of history, and commits themselves to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.
“No athlete should boycott events like the Olympic Games, as they offer the only opportunity to spread the voice of the Iranian people.”
The ex-footballer spent two seasons with Bayern MunichCredit: Getty More

FORTUNA DUSSELDORF have come up with a revolutionary plan to make all home tickets FREE for their fans.The German club play in the second division and sit sixth in the table.
Fortuna Dusseldorf have a plan to get sponsors paying for ticketsCredit: Getty
CEO Alexander Jobst has an idea named “Fortuna for everyone” that is set make him very popular with supporters when it is launched today.
The plan is to get sponsors to cover the costs of all tickets sold so fans don’t have to pay a penny.
Reports from Bild claim that the Fortuna faithful could get three tickets for nothing next season as the project gets trialled.
And there is hope it can lead to more matches and an increase in companies getting involved for the 2024-45 campaign.
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The club has reportedly already agreed five-year deals with a number of businesses to cover ticket fees for the whole stadium.
Fortuna average 29,378 fans every home match and the Merkur Spiel-Arena can take up to 54,600.
The two-time German Cup winners currently bring in £6-£7million in ticket income per season.
Fortuna hope that the plan will lead to increased matchday revenue as when fans don’t pay for a ticket they believe it will lead to more buying food, drink and merchandise.
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The club have the fourth-highest average attendance in the 2. Bundesliga.
They have been out of the top-flight since their relegation in 2020. More