Anthony Modeste stepped up to take the penalty and placed his leading foot in the hole.
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With the game scoreless, Cologne were awarded a penalty when the opposition goalkeeper Marwin Hitz deliberately raked his studs across the penalty spot, digging his heels into the turf too – all created to try and put the kick-taker off.
And to add even further insult to the on-field lesson in horticulture, Augsburg took the lead from a dodgy free kick which they converted for a 1-0 win.
Raul Bobadilla scored six minutes after Modeste’s slip with Hitz’s antics gaining global attention.
But that apology clearly didn’t reach the aggrieved Koln groundsman, who it’s reported today sent the Augsburg ‘keeper a bill for €122 to fix the damage in order to pay for one square meter of turf and two skilled workers for two hours. I have never saved a penalty before so I thought I would just make the taker a little bit unsure.
The German FA (DFB) have decided not to punish Hitz.
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“To support the work, we will send a lawnmower on behalf of our sponsors”, Augsburg said in a statement on Facebook.
