Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Christoph Metzelder: Former Germany player faces child pornography investigation

Metzelder, a World Cup runner-up in 2002, is alleged to have sent child pornographic content via WhatsApp to a female recipient in Hamburg

Karolos Grohmann
Thursday 05 September 2019 07:34 EDT
Metzelder won 47 caps for his country
Metzelder won 47 caps for his country (Bongarts/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder has stepped down as president from his boyhood club TuS Haltern am See after he was questioned by police as part of an investigation into distribution of child pornography, the club said in a statement.

Computer equipment was confiscated during two searches, Hamburg’s state prosecutor’s office said.

“The accused is alleged to have sent to a (female) recipient in Hamburg pictures with child pornographic content through the communication platform WhatsApp,” Hamburg state prosecutor’s office said.

Metzelder could not be reached for comment but his club, who play in the fourth division, said in a statement: “Until everything is cleared up with the ongoing investigation the former international will leave all his posts at TuS Haltern am See.”

Metzelder, a Bundesliga champion with Borussia Dortmund, also played for Schalke 04 and Real Madrid.

Christoph Metzelder (top row, second from right) with his Germany teammates at the 2002 World Cup
Christoph Metzelder (top row, second from right) with his Germany teammates at the 2002 World Cup (AFP/Getty Images)

He was a World Cup runner-up in 2002 and won 47 caps for his country. He also played in the 2006 World Cup.

He had been chairman at Haltern since 2014.

Reuters

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in