Living in Fear: Peter Közle's Harrowing Escape from the Brutal Fists of His Adoring Fans
Underground Hiding: Bundesliga Player Hides Due to Intimidation from Fans
By Ben Redelings
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In the world of football, players are often idolized, their every move scrutinized by adoring fans. But sometimes, the love turns to hate, and the lives of these athletes are turned upside down. Thirty years ago, MSV Duisburg's star player, Peter Közle, found himself in such a predicament. He was forced to vanish, fleeing the very fans who once cheered him on with unbridled passion.
"I'm not a god, I'm just a man. But for them, I'm a target. A punching bag. I live in fear every single day," Közle reportedly told a major German sports magazine during a harrowing interview, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and anger.
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At first, everything seemed picture-perfect for Közle. After the club's return to the first league for the 1993/94 season, the natively friendly Bavarian quickly became the face of MSV Duisburg. Scoring 13 goals for his team, Közle stood out with his long hair and infectious smile. The man was the epitome of loveable, hardworking footballer, thrilling fans with his performances on the pitch and charm off it.
But, as the tide began to turn, the tide of love became a tidal wave of hatred. In their second season in the first league, MSV was lagging in the relegation zone from the start. Közle's goals dried up, and the positivity that they had initially projected onto him was replaced by negativity. Peter Közle, the charismatic striker with long hair, was now the perfect scapegoat for the botched season in Duisburg.
"I wanted to live a normal life, not to be isolated. As a footballer, I'm no better than you. I'm just one of the many," Közle noted during a candid conversation, reflecting on the terrible experiences that followed. The fans began to show their anger, kicking and swearing at him. The fear of physical violence became a constant presence for Közle, who had found a new home in the industrial heartland of the Ruhr area. The fans eventually gathered outside his apartment, screaming, "Come out, you bastard!" and "We'll cut your hair off!"
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Közle made a brave decision to flee, escaping the wrath of his own fans. He terminated his contract and relinquished a substantial amount of money. He went into hiding, unable to be found by anyone. After some time, there were first images of him again, training under the watchful eye of Alain Sutter at Bayern Munich. Közle was there to stay fit, while the season continued. But, by choosing to no longer be the target of hate, Közle hoped to ease the pressure on his team, as the whistles against him were indirectly also whistles against the entire team.
But it didn't help. MSV Duisburg was eventually relegated from the Bundesliga. Közle, on the other hand, was granted a lifeline by Klaus Toppmöller, who brought him to VfL Bochum. Toppmöller was known for his soft spot for difficult characters, and many wondered if Közle fit into that category. In any case, the native Bavarian returned to the Ruhr area - and still resides there to this day.
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Közle eventually made amends with MSV Duisburg and its fans, returning to the club five years after his dramatic exit. But the memories of that dark chapter in his life still haunt him. The case of Peter Közle serves as a somber reminder of how football fandom can sometimes cross the line, turning adoration into animosity.
- Despite his initial success on the pitch, Peter Közle's life was turned upside down when he found it difficult to score goals during MSV Duisburg's second season in the first league, leading him to express feelings of frustration, saying, "I'm not going to be able to do this."
- In an attempt to escape the wrath of his fans, Peter Közle turned to sports-analysis for solace, often reflecting on his career, acknowledging, "I'm just a man, not a god, and I wanted to live a normal life, not to be isolated."
