
"Bayer 04 have nothing at all to do with the events back then. The club will be hit hard by the punishment both on the pitch and financially," said Calhanoglu. "Therefore, it's clear to me that I don't want to damage the club any further and I will forego my wages for the whole time I'm banned from playing."
In accordance with his contract, Calhanoglu will continue to train with the Bayer 04 Leverkusen first team. Even without playing in competitive matches he will endeavour to support his team-mates as best he can as a full member of the squad. Furthermore, Bayer 04 will stand by the player completely in all matters – primarily with maintaining his ability to play.
In addition, advice will be taken with regard to Calhanoglu lodging an appeal against the CAS verdict with the support of the club. Bayer 04 are not entitled to take legal action as the proceedings related to the player and not the club.


After just two points from their last four games, the situation has become trickier for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the bottom third of the table. Only three points separate the Foals from the relegation play-off spot. Coach Eugen Polanski's team is under pressure ahead of the home game against the Werkself on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Calling all eSports fans: On Saturday, 21 February (from 16:00 CET), the Werkself Wildcard Cup will take place at XPERION Köln (Hansaring 97, 50670 Cologne). Interested EA FC 26 amateur players will have the opportunity to win attractive prizes and a place in the VBL Open Play-offs by WOW. The play-offs are the final preliminary stage of the VBL Grand Final by WOW, the tournament for the German individual championship and, alongside the club championship (VBL CC), the most important sub-competition in the German eSports scene. Read on for information on registration.
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At its first general meeting on 5 February 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, the Frauen Bundesliga FBL e.V. made key decisions regarding the future direction of the Women’s Bundesliga. The meeting was based on the results of the negotiations with the German Football Association (DFB) over the past few weeks.
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Another efficient performance from the Werkself in the 3-0 home win against FC St. Pauli saw them reach the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third time in a row, and it was not the only record set on what was a successful evening. It meant head coach Kasper Hjulmand was delighted to "still be in with the chance of winning something". Like the coach, however, the ambitious Edmond Tapsoba also stated that he wanted to keep "improving" bit by bit: "We'll continue to give our all, no matter who we come up against." The Werkself review of the clash.
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