German footballer Tim Lemperle required hospital treatment after suffering facial injuries during an alleged assault while on a night out.
The FC Koln player is now expected to miss Sunday`s critical promotion playoff match against Kaiserslautern, which will determine a spot in the Bundesliga for the upcoming season.
According to the German publication Bild, Lemperle reportedly sustained a broken nose and a facial cut on Sunday evening.
The report indicates the forward was out with friends in a district of Cologne.
A confrontation reportedly occurred at a boathouse bar by the Rhine River with another group, before the situation calmed.
However, Lemperle and his companions were reportedly attacked later that evening, around 9 pm local time, as they were leaving the premises.
The 23-year-old, who previously played for Frankfurt, was taken to a local hospital and remained there overnight until Monday morning.
FC Koln coach Friedhelm Funkel stated he has not been in contact with Lemperle, who was unable to attend training on Monday afternoon.
Funkel commented: “I am aware he was physically assaulted on Sunday and suffered facial injuries. His chances of playing on Sunday are minimal. It`s not entirely out of the question, but they are slim. I cannot provide further details.”
The police are investigating the incident and have asked for potential witnesses to come forward.
This season, Lemperle has been a key player, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in 24 second division matches.
He was considered a certain starter for the upcoming final, having been in the starting lineup for 22 of his 24 league appearances this term.
FC Koln finished the Bundesliga 2 season in second place, behind Hamburg, who secured automatic promotion to end their seven-year absence from Germany`s top football league.
Lemperle`s teammates are set to face Kaiserslautern, who finished sixth and secured a playoff spot, in the crucial final match.
