A Tumultuous Season: When a Bundesliga Player Vanished Amid Fan Rage
Bundesliga Player Hides Amidst Public Fear Instigated by Supporters
By Ben Redelings
Remember the hair-raising tale from the Bundesliga's past? Thirty years back, MSV Duisburg's star player, Peter Közle, found himself at the mercy of his very own fans, leading him to flee his apartment in fear.
"It's dangerous for me to go home because I'm scared. All my fans know where I live – and that's where they can find me!" These chilling words, spoken by the 27-year-old Közle, encapsulate the distressing state he found himself in during the summer of 1993.
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At the time, Közle and the fans had celebrated his impressive performances after MSV Duisburg's triumphant return to the first league for the 1993/94 season. That year, Közle netted 13 goals for his team and quickly became a fan favorite. However, when the club struggled during their second season, Közle was no longer excelling to the same extent – and the adoration turned sour.
A Caricatured "Scapegoat"
"I just wanted to live a regular life, not be isolated. As a footballer, I'm not specially gifted. I wanted to be just like everyone else," he recalled at the height of the controversy. The fans no longer saw the likable footballer they had loved – instead, they began to vilify him as the reason for their team's poor showing, branding him a "scapegoat."
The derision and tormenting comments became increasingly aggressive. Fans would gather outside his apartment, shouting, "Come out, you scoundrel!" and "We'll chop your hair off!" The escalating threats became unbearable for the native Bavarian, who had initially warmed to life in the Ruhr area.
Running Away to Stay Alive
With physical violence ever-present in his mind, Közle made the desperate decision to leave. He dissolved his contract and sought refuge away from his own fans and the turbulence of Duisburg.
The once visible figure was gone, vanished without a trace. Eventually, images of him resurfaced following Alain Sutter's mediation, which allowed Közle to train with Bayern. Despite the club's temporary support, MSV Duisburg continued to struggle, eventually relegating from the Bundesliga.
Közle himself was lucky enough to secure a position with VfL Bochum under Klaus Toppmöller, a coach known for his empathy towards challenge- embracing characters – though the exact fit between Közle and that description remains debatable.
Today, Peter Közle resides in the Ruhr area and has since reconciled with MSV Duisburg and its fanbase. Though the harrowing ordeal from 1995 still lingers in his mind, he even returned to MSV Duisburg for one season five years later.
Source: ntv.de
- Football
- MSV Duisburg
I'm not going to be able to do this football season with MSV Duisburg, given the tumultuous events of the past. Thirty years ago, their star player, Peter Közle, was forced to flee due to fan rage over the team's poor performance.
