Podolski takes legal action over spoof radio diary
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-20 09:04
BERLIN, June 19 - Germany's World Cup striker Lukas Podolski will take
legal action against national broadcaster ARD over a local radio show that makes
fun of him in a spoof "Lukas's Diary" segment.
Podolski has told ARD he will not give them any more interviews until the
segment on a Cologne station is pulled. The 21-year-old feels the show makes him
out to be an idiot.
"I have a sense of humour but these jokes are below the belt," he told a news
conference on Monday. "I'm entitled to seek justice."
The German Football Association (DFB) has given full backing to Podolski,
said spokesman Harald Stenger.
"Comedy is all well and good but this is attacking his dignity," Stenger
said. "ARD will get no more interviews with Podolski until this is sorted out."
The DFB said in a statement the show pictured Podolski as an uneducated boor.
Podolski, who has yet to score in Germany's two matches at the World Cup, is
moving from Cologne to Bayern Munich next season.
Germany are guaranteed a place in the second round of the competition after
winning their opening two games. The hosts need to beat Ecuador in Berlin on
Tuesday to finish as Group A winners.
|
