Oliver Kahn investigated on injury charges

Cologne:

Germany goalie and World Cup hero Oliver Kahn is under investigation for grabbing a Bayer Leverkusen player by the neck in a Bundesliga match, the Cologne district attorney's office said today. Leverkusen forward Thomas Brdaric didn't press charges and wasn't hurt in the incident but several unnamed people have notified the police, forcing the investigation. The district attorney's office has asked for videotapes of the match as it tries to determine if charges of bodily harm should be filed against the Bayern Munich goalie, one of Germany's biggest soccer stars and a finalist for the world player-of-the-year award. Kahn grabbed Brdaric by the neck and shook him last fall after a controversial offside call as his club, Bayern Munich, lost 2-1 to rival Leverkusen. Both players were slapped with a yellow card. Generally on-pitch incidents like this are examined by German soccer officials, who weigh fines or suspensions. Since Brdaric didn't press charges, the district attorney's office said it will have to be decided if it's in the "public interest" to pursue the case. The hot-tempered Kahn has been involved in several similar scuffles in the past, even shoving his own teammates, and once bit an opposing player. No one, however, has ever been hurt. (AP)