Wolfsburg striker Max Kruse was dropped from the Germany squad on Monday for upcoming friendlies against England and Italy following a string of off-pitch indiscretions, the German FA announced.
Germany coach Joachim Loew removed Kruse from his 27-man squad, citing a “number of incidents” in which the striker’s behaviour was deemed unprofessional, the DFB said in a statement.
“I want players who are also focused on their football and the European Championship in between games. Max has behaved unprofessionally yet again and I won’t accept that,” Loew said in a statement.
While celebrating his 28th birthday over the weekend, Kruse was involved in an argument with a journalist at a Berlin nightclub after the player was reportedly unhappy at having his picture taken without permission.
According to German daily Bild , Wolfsburg fined Kruse 25,000 Euros ($27,800) over the incident, just days after the Bundesliga club slapped him with a similar fine for leaving 75,000 euros in the back of a taxi.
Kruse, who is a keen poker player, reportedly forgot the huge amount of cash in a holdall during an early morning taxi ride through Berlin last October.
While the suspension “initially applies” to Saturday’s game against England and the world champions’ clash with Italy on March 29, it will serve a big blow to Kruse’s chances of making Germany’s squad for Euro 2016.
“The Euros this summer are drawing closer and we have big aims with the national team. We need players who are focused and are conscious of their responsibilities as a role model,” added Lowe.
Kruse has scored four goals in 14 appearances for Germany.
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