Club World Cup: German sports journalist reports on attack

German sports journalist Pit Gottschalk reported in a column about an assault in Miami on the sidelines of the Club World Cup. The 56-year-old wrote in his column for "Focus Online" that he was attacked and knocked down. The "Bild" newspaper also reported on the incident. The German Press Agency was initially unable to reach Gottschalk for comment.

As Gottschalk describes in his column, the attack occurred last Friday evening in Miami Beach. Gottschalk was reportedly on his way to his hotel when a man suddenly appeared and shouted at him. "Then I was hit first – on my left cheekbone. I fell to the ground and received the second blow – on the back right kidney," Gottschalk reports.

A photo published by "Bild" shows Gottschalk with a black eye. A group of homeless people helped the German sports journalist and eventually called the police, the former editor-in-chief of Sport1 writes. According to the US portal "7News," police were able to arrest a suspect shortly after the attack. He is said to be known to the police.

Gottschalk worked for Axel Springer Verlag from 1994 to 2015, including as editor-in-chief of "Sport Bild." He then held positions including editor-in-chief at Sport1. Gottschalk currently writes as a columnist for "Focus Online."

RND/dpa