Bayern Munich have fined German international Michael Ballack over €10,000 for criticising the tactics of club coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Ballack, who joined Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, told Kicker magazine on Monday that he was unhappy with the way in which he was being used.
“If you take on a player such as me and you know that he is dangerous in front of goal, shouldn’t you be playing him accordingly,” Ballack said.
However, Hitzfeld confirmed Ballack would be fined for his remarks.
“We cannot allow a player to demand a position or a playing system perhaps just to benefit himself. I won’t tolerate that in the future. Accordingly Michael Ballack has paid a fine that is clearly higher than that of Claudio Pizarro,” coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.
Peruvian striker Pizarro was made to pay €10,000 euros when he too criticised Hitzfeld’s tactics.
