Harald Schumacher - Autobiography

Autobiography

In 1987, Schumacher's autobiography, Anpfiff (kick-off), was published in various countries, including France (Coup de sifflet, Monique Thiollet translat., Michel Lafon ed.).

There was much interest in Schumacher's comments on the Battiston incident. Schumacher maintained that his actions did not constitute a foul and that he was only trying to get the ball. The reason he did not go over to check on Battiston's condition was that several French players were standing around Battiston and making threatening gestures in his direction.

The book achieved its own measure of controversy for entirely different reasons; it included graphic accounts of alleged but unproven improprieties by German football players, including substance abuse. This resulted in Schumacher's exclusion from the German national team and his long-term Bundesliga club, 1. FC Köln.