Lukas Podolski Criticized for Aggressive Behavior in Polish Football Derby

The 2014 World Cup winner faced backlash for fouls, unsportsmanlike gestures, and unapologetic remarks during Gornik Zabrze's 1-0 victory over Piast Gliwice.

Podolski was substituted into the match in the 73rd minute and quickly drew attention for a reckless foul on Damian Kadzior, which went unpunished by the referee.
He escalated tensions by performing the Kozakiewicz gesture, a provocative insult in Poland, directed at an opposing player.
Later in the match, Podolski received a yellow card for a forceful shove on Piast Gliwice's Jakub Czerwinski.
Fans and former players criticized his actions, with some labeling him a 'field thug' and an 'idiot,' while his club's opponents shared an image of Kadzior's injured foot on social media.
Podolski dismissed the criticism, defending his conduct as part of a competitive mindset, and sarcastically referred to himself as the 'idiot from Zabrze' in a defiant social media post.

Sächsische Zeitung

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Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung