Lehmann refuses to pay Stuttgart fine

Jens Lehmann announced on Saturday he would refuse to pay the fine he was given for criticising his club Stuttgart’s firing of coach Markus Babbel.

Babbel was sacked last Sunday and replaced by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Gross, with Lehmann claiming his bosses had simply bowed to the demands of angry fans.

Supporters turned on Babbel after Stuttgart’s 1-1 draw with Bochum left them third from bottom in the Bundesliga.

Lehmann told German daily Bild: “I don’t accept having to pay this fine and I have explained that to the club’s management.”

On Friday Stuttgart chairman Erwin Staudt said Lehmann had been out of order to go public with his criticism.

“Our players can freely express themselves, but what he said was not to be tolerated and damaged the image of the club.

“Anyone can have an opinion and voice criticisms but that must not be done through the media,” Staudt told broadcaster Sky.

Gross for his part commented: “I need players who roll their sleeves up. Jens knows the situation in which we find ourselves.”

Stuttgart’s general manager Horst Heldt said Lehmann was wrong and had been guilty of “egotism”. He also warned of “consequences.”

“These are statements which of course we cannot tolerate,” Heldt warned.

Lehmann, 40, who retired from international football in August 2008, accused Heldt and Stuttgart of listening to a group of hardcore supporters.

“There was a certain bunch of fans, most of whom are just going through puberty, and that’s what influenced the club in making certain decisions,” Lehmann told Sky.

“That’s the way it is in football.”

The Stuttgart goalkeeper said he was shocked after a groups of angry fans stopped the team bus to shout insults and chant death threats, prompting police intervention.