Advertisement
Meyer is out of contract at Schalke this summer. Getty Images
contract stand off

Liverpool target Meyer suspended by Schalke following bullying accusations

The Germany international accused the club of bully tactics in contract negotiations.

MAX MEYER, WHO is heading towards free agency this summer, has been suspended by Schalke in the wake of bullying accusations levelled at the club.

The Germany international has been caught in a contract stand-off with the Bundesliga side this season, with the two sides of discussions moving in opposite directions.

Schalke had been hoping to see a highly-rated home-grown talent commit his future to the team by penning an extension.

Meyer has, however, opted against signing an extension and will instead walk away this summer, amid strong links to Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.

Amid the battle to resolve his future, the 22-year-old has hit out at Schalke’s sporting director Christian Heidel and his supposed behaviour during talks.

He told Bild: “I was never concerned about the money, otherwise I would have accepted the second improved offer.

“That’s why I find it a mess for Clemens Tonnies to say it on TV as if it were all about money. I simply did not want to stay with Schalke and work under Heidel. It’s all about this. Lately, it just feels like bullying to me.”

Schalke have now responded to an unsanctioned interview by revealing that Meyer will form no part of their plans for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Max Meyer will not participate in the training sessions of the team in the next two weeks until the end of the season and, as a result, will no longer be used.

“His contract with FC Schalke 04 expires at the end of the season.”

Heidel added on the accusations made against him: “We cannot tolerate this behaviour and these statements — in particular the false allegations against the club, which we reject in the strongest possible manner. Schalke 04 has always behaved correctly towards Max Meyer.”

Head coach Domenico Tedesco also condemned Meyer for speaking out against a club which has done so much for him down the years.

He said: “My impression was for a very long time that Max felt very comfortable here. That’s what he said in personal talks with the coaching team.

“I am disappointed with his personal attacks and cannot understand them because they just do not make sense.”

Schalke have two more fixtures to take in this season, away at Augsburg on Saturday and then at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on 12 May.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Roma issue no-violence plea to their fans ahead of Liverpool visit

McClean insists players aren’t ‘snakes’ for leaving West Brom once they’re relegated

Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel