Bayer Leverkusen have told former captain Jens Nowotny that he will never play for the club again after he took legal action against his employers.
“Because of the complaints brought by Jens Nowotny and his advisory group GTS there is no bond of trust any more,” Leverkusen said in a statement.
“Jens will no longer play for Bayer Leverkusen or take part in team meetings.”
Nowotny, who is recovering from the latest in a series of knee injuries, is looking for six months sick pay from Leverkusen rather than the legal minimum of six weeks.
The former German international lost his case in September but is now in the process of appealing.
Nowotny and his advisers are also in dispute with the club over who should pay the tax on the fee he received for extending his contract in 2002.
The club statement said Nowotny could continue to train and receive medical help.
“It’s a shame,” Leverkusen director of football Rudi Voller told German agency SID. “But in the last month too much porcelain has been broken.”
The defender has not played since suffering ligament damage in his left knee in February.
