Kenyan midfielder Linton Maina endured a distressing episode of fan misconduct during a post-match interview following FC Köln’s rollercoaster 2-2 draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf in the Rhine derby.
The incident occurred when Maina, 23, was confronted with projectiles and abusive chants from rival fans while speaking with Sky Sports reporter Thomas Wagner.
Düsseldorf supporters directed vitriol at the FC Köln players, chanting, “Every Cologne player is a son of a bch,” while the situation escalated further when an e-cigarette was thrown towards Maina.
Wagner condemned the unruly behavior, remarking, “Something is being thrown at Linton. That’s pretty antisocial, you could say.”
Despite the intimidating atmosphere, Maina kept his composure throughout the interview but did not shy away from expressing his dismay at the incident.
“To put it bluntly, it feels like crap when you get something like that at the last second,” he remarked, reflecting on the hostility he faced. “I don’t know whether I should be angry or disappointed.”
Maina, who received a booking late in the game following a confrontation with Düsseldorf’s Jona Niemiec, lamented FC Köln’s inability to secure victories in their last two outings, describing the situation as a “catastrophe.”
He emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We have to be somewhere else on the table. The one point from the two superior games against Magdeburg and Düsseldorf felt like a catastrophe.”
Despite the chaotic scenes, local authorities confirmed that overall security for the derby was satisfactory, with no major violent incidents reported.
On a brighter note, Maina has been enjoying a blistering start to the season, netting three goals and providing three assists in just six matches. His contributions have cemented his status as a crucial player for FC Köln as they aim to bounce back to the Bundesliga after relegation.
