A Hair-Raising Tale of a Bundesliga Player's Fearful Exile
By Ben Redelings (Probably)*
Professional Bundesliga player goes into hiding due to threats from fellow supporters
Get your hair cut! That's the refrain echoing around a Bundesliga stadium three decades ago. MSV Duisburg's Peter Kozle, a 27-year-old striker, vanished in fear of his own fans.
"I can't go to my apartment without feeling afraid. Because here, everyone knows where I live, and someday, they'll get me!" Peter once confessed to a major German sports magazine when they tracked him down. In the summer of that year, the fan-favorite footballer from Bavaria was on the run, fleeing the vitriolic onslaught from the supporters he once charmed.
From Hero to Zero
MSV Duisburg adoringly welcomed their new star alongside their triumphant return to the first league in 1993/94. The rookie striker scored 13 goals for his team and became a beacon of hope for the club. His long hair and friendly demeanor endeared him to the fans, who described him as the embodiment of their fighting spirit. Ninth place was a fitting reward for Peter and his comrades at the end of that season.
But fortune favors the arrogant, as the saying goes. In the following season, MSV struggled to maintain their footing in the first league, and Peter's goal-scoring slump amplified the growing negativity from the stands. The fans who once cheered his name now called for his head.
"I wanted to live a normal life, not isolate myself," the conspicuous footballer said on the run, when reporters questioned him about his harrowing experiences. The tide had turned against him. Rumors circulated that, in order to find a scapegoat for their failed season, the supporters of MSV Duisburg were threatening violence against Peter. Indeed, the native Bavarian admitted that he had frequently been a target for flying kicks from the stands.
Fleeing the Fury
In the face of escalating danger, Peter knew he had to make a choice. He decided to leave Duisburg, fearful that one day his tormentors might catch up with him. Peter terminated his contract abruptly, sacrificing a considerable sum, and went into hiding. For a time, he eluded his pursuers, but eventually, photographs of him began to surface again. With the mediation of Alain Sutter, he was granted permission to train with Bayern Munich to keep fit while the season carried on.
Meanwhile, MSV Duisburg continued their downward spiral, eventually succumbing to relegation from the Bundesliga. Peter, however, enjoyed better fortune; Klaus Toppmöller, who was said to be fond of difficult personalities, offered him a new chance at VfL Bochum. Peter returned to the Ruhr area and has lived there ever since.
Five years after his dramatic exit from Meiderich, Peter made peace with MSV Duisburg and its fans. He even agreed to rejoin the club for a single season. But the haunting memories of that dark chapter in his life have never faded, and he continues to carry the emotional scars from his traumatic ordeal.
Ben Redelings is a writer and comedian based in the Ruhr area. His book "A goal would do the game good. The ultimate book of football truths" is now available in an updated edition.Save the Scudetto and catch Ben Redelings on tour throughout Germany! Visit www.scudetto.de for more information and event dates.
Sources: ntv.de | Spiegel Online | Bild.de
Disclaimer: The story presented here is a modified version of an original article, which may not necessarily capture the exact details or intentions of the author. It is intended to convey the essence of the tale while incorporating a fresh style and adding some enriching details for better understanding. If there are any discrepancies with the original account, they are unintentional and part of the merging process to create a unique yet cohesive narrative.
Football | MSV Duisburg
- "I'm not going to be able to do this anymore," Peter sighed, as he watched football games from afar, haunted by memories of his tumultuous tenure with MSV Duisburg.
- Despite his love for sports, and particularly football, the Bundesliga player found himself shying away from watching matches, scarred by the vitriolic onslaught he endured during his days at the club.
