Schalke release Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam following Cologne defeat

Schalke 04 have released Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam “with immediate effect” as a ‘consequence’ of their shocking 2-0 defeat to Cologne on Sunday.

Sam’s contract was not due to expire until June 2018, while Boateng had 12 months remaining on his deal at the Veltins-Arena.

The Bundesliga club has also suspended Marco Hoger from first-team training or games until after next Saturday’s match against Paderborn.

Schalke have won just four times domestically since the resumption of the Bundesliga campaign following the winter break, a run of form that has effectively ended the club’s chances of Champions League qualification.

The defeat to Cologne left Schalke 13 points behind fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen and is widely considered the team’s worst performance of the season.

Midfielder Julian Draxler refused to hide his discontent following the match.

“We played really badly. I don’t know what was wrong with us,” Draxler said. “You’re not going to win games in the Bundesliga like that. I’m pretty sure it was our worst performance in recent years.

“We’re also aware of the anger of our fans. They have reason to be unhappy and vent their anger. Having said that, we have to get through what has been a poor season together.”

Team captain Benedikt Howedes added: “We were missing everything that makes us Schalke. There was no passion, willingness to run or emotion.”

Following the defeat to Cologne, general manager Horst Heldt reportedly held a crisis meeting with coach Roberto Di Matteo and said after the game: “Some players are – regardless of contractual agreements – going to feel the consequences.”