German football club Bayer Leverkusen parted company with defender Emir Spahic with immediate effect due to an incident in the aftermath of the German Cup.
The 'Werkself' and Spahic mutually agreed to terminate the contract which was stipulated until June 2016, following an incident in the aftermath of the German Cup exit against Bayern Munich last Wednesday, reports Xinhua.
"Emir Spahic is an outstanding player whose performances made him valued in Leverkusen. Nevertheless, in the light of recent insights of last Wednesday's incident we had no other choice," Leverkusen CEO Michael Schade said on Sunday.
A leaked video footage showed the 34-year-old in a brawl with the club's stewards. The club immediately promised to support the complete clarification of the incident.
"The video footage that emerged into public shocked us all and made us very upset. We could no longer wait for the outcome of the legal investigations. As a consequence we talked with Emir and agreed to part ways," Schade said.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international accepted his full responsibility for the incident.
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"I regret my behaviour after the German Cup match towards the stewards of my club Leverkusen. For my behaviour I want to apologise to those affected and their families. I know that my actions caused major problems for my club," said Spahic.
"It was a great honour for me to be part of this great team. I wish my friends in the team and the whole club as well as the outstanding supporters of Leverkusen all the very best for the great future that lies ahead of the club."
Bayer Leverkusen occupy fourth place in the Bundesliga standings. They face Hannover on Saturday.