Horstmann: 'Podolski must respect the rules'

Lukas Podolski's future at Cologne has been cast in doubt following an unauthorised interview he gave to German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

In the interview, the 26-year-old German international claimed: "I was told that a team would be built around me so that we could establish ourselves first in the top eight and then in the top six.

"[Former Cologne coach] Christoph Daum once said that lots of promises are made, but few are maintained here and I think my situation confirms that."

Podolski's remarks have not been received well, with the club issuing a statement condemning his decision to speak publicly.

"The interview had not been agreed with us, nor had we authorised its publication. Remarks about the club must always be authorised by the club," said Claus Horstmann, Cologne's general manager.

"There is no place in the world for a player, who is injured, who is not in the squad and who is always demanding calm, to give such an interview.

"We have decided as a club not to tolerate this kind of interview but rather to sanction them. We will certainly make use of the freedoms we have in his contract of employment to clear things up and make it clear to everybody that even Lukas Podolski must respect the rules."

Although Horstmann made it clear that Podolski would be fined for his actions, he said that the club's commitment to extend his contract remained "unaltered".