STARS IN EUROPE - Ghana / Germany - Kevin-Prince Boateng suspended by Schalke
SCHALKE 04 Kevin-Prince Boateng
Ex-Ghana forward Boateng, 28, played 59 minutes of the Bundesliga match while Germany winger Sam, 27, was absent.
The club, managed by former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, blamed a "lack of mutual trust" and told both players they can find new teams.
Midfielder Marco Hoger, who played the full 90 minutes against Cologne, has been suspended for a week.
Hoger, 25, joined the club from Alemannia Aachen in 2011.
Sam was signed last summer from Bayer Leverkusen on a four-year contract while former Tottenham and Portsmouth player Boateng joined from AC Milan in 2013 on a three-year deal.
A club statement read: "Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt announced there would be consequences after Sunday's defeat away to Cologne, and the first action taken has been: Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam have been suspended with immediate effect.
"Marco Hoger is suspended from training and first-team action up to and including Saturday, 16 May."
Schalke, who lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16, still have two games remaining in the Bundesliga season.
Bundesliga writer Jonathan Harding:
"In true Heldt fashion, headlines have been created.
The Boateng news doesn't surprise me. In truth, I would have released him months ago.
His performances have largely been lethargic, and he has been an unwanted distraction.
His cigarette incident in February 2014 - when he was snapped smoking and drinking a beer after the game before his doping test - was brushed under the carpet by Heldt.
"I feel sorry for Sidney Sam.
He only joined the club this summer and has struggled with knee and hamstring injuries ever since.
His form before that was sparkling and even had the national team interested, but the injury curbed his potential.
The statement suggests an internal issue that was beyond repair.
The image of the club continues to be damaged.
In truth, it's Heldt who should be taking a look in the mirror."
Germany
Ghana