German star Lukas Podolski, who won the World Cup with the Machinery team in 2014, is being fined by the city of Cologne for lighting fireworks during his farewell match on October 10.
A police spokesman said on Tuesday: “We have filed a report regarding Podolski’s violation of the law. He is on his way to the city administration.”
After bidding farewell at the stadium of his former club Cologne, Podolski celebrated with the fans while holding a firework in his hand.
That shot was shown live on television, and pictures of him during his celebration were also published on social media.
The use of fireworks in German stadiums is prohibited, but this does not constitute a criminal offense unless it endangers the lives of others or harms them, and according to police investigations, the matter did not reach that point.
The city of Cologne is now responsible for taking further action and determining the fine imposed on Podolski.
It is noteworthy that Podolski joined the youth academy at the Cologne club in 1995 and played for the first team between 2003 and 2006, before returning to it again between 2009 and 2012.
Podolski is currently under contract with his Polish city club, Gornik Zabrze, until June 2025.