Ballack fined for Cologne insult

The German Football Federation's disciplinary body on Friday fined Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack 8,000 euros for insults directed at his club's local rivals Cologne.

Former Chelsea star Ballack, 34, made the insult after last week's 2-0 win over Schalke when fans delighted by the win beckoned him over and encouraged him to chant through a megaphone after the game.

He apologised the following day but the Federation took a dim view and called the midfielder to account.

Ballack's enthusiasm got the better of him as he was making a rare start after an injury-plagued season which has seen him marginalised of late in the German national side.

He also missed last summer's World Cup through injury.