Beenhakker carrying the severed heads of Ballack and coach
Joachim Loew.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has been caught up in
a row between Poland and Germany ahead of the European
Championships after a newspaper depicted him with his head chopped
off.
Polish daily Super Express put together a spread showing Leo
Beenhakker holding
the severed heads of Germany skipper Ballack and coach Joachim Low.
Ahead of the countries' meeting in Klagenfurt on Sunday, Poland
coach Beenhakker was told to "bring us their heads", which he has
described as "sick".
UEFA are hoping the outrage created by the images will mark an end
to the
matter. A spokesman said: "We are aware of the pictures. It's not
something we should condone, people should be talking about the
football. "There is a healthy rivalry but there is a limit. We are
hopeful the talking will be done on the pitch."
Beenhakker was shocked at the images and told the Bild
newspaper: "That is rubbish. It shows that all over the world there
are sick people. I distance myself from it totally."
Super Express have also drawn heavy criticism from the Bundestag,
the German
parliament. Peter Danckert, chairman of the Bundestag's sport
committee, said: "This photo-montage is a scandal. I hope that the
Polish government reacts
appropriately to it."