Hamburg sporting director hits back at Scharner claims

Hamburg sporting director Oliver Kreuzer has hit back at Paul Scharner’s claims they are forcing him out of the club.

Scharner has talked of a potential “war” with the Bundesliga side as Hamburg try to push him out of the club, with Hull City reportedly keen to bid for the defender.

However, Kreuzer has moved to set the record straight regarding the Austria international’s future at Hamburg.

“There are words like extortion, human trafficking and war being used,” he told German television channel Sky Sport News. “I want to clearly distance myself from those.

“We know that Paul Scharner ticks a little differently sometimes. That’s commonly known.

“We have clearly told the player that we are planning without him”

Scharner joined Hamburg in 2012 after six years in England with Wigan Athletic and West Brom.

The 33-year-old has made just six appearances for Hamburg and spent part of last season back at Wigan on loan.