German club Schalke suspends three players

German club FC Schalke has suspended footballers Kevin Boateng, Sidney Sam and Marco Hoeger, the "Royal Blues" has announced in an official statement.

After the club's 0-2 loss to newly-promoted FC Cologne on Sunday, manager Horst Heldt threatened the under-performing players of dire consequences, reports Xinhua.

"In the next 14 days we will see who is willing to give everything for the club. Those who are not willing to help us won't play for Schalke again," Helt said.

Heldt turned rhetoric into action on Monday and released Schalke's midfielders Kevin Boateng and Sidney Sam with immediate effect. Hoeger has been suspended for a week.

"After the impressions of yesterday's loss and long talks we decided to release Sidney Sam and Kevin Boateng. Besides the missing bond of trust we don't think that both players can help us in the last two games," he added.

Things are different in the case of Hoeger though.

"We talked to Marco as well as we also doubt his loyalty towards the club. Nevertheless, we give Marco one week to consider. He gets the chance to ponder over his current situation. After that week we will discuss whether it makes sense to continue our cooperation or not."

The "Royal Blues" slumped to the sixth place in the standings to endanger their Europa League berth for next season as local rivals and seventh-placed Borussia Dortmund are just two points away.

Playing Europa League next season would still be a setback for Schalke, who played Champions League this season.