Lehmann's 'muppet' lawsuit dismissed

Published Aug. 25, 2011 11:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's lawsuit against Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese - for saying he should be in the ''Muppet Show'' - has been dismissed.

A regional court in Munich rejected the claim Thursday, when it said Wiese's comment was ''not a clear defamatory criticism'' albeit ''not worthy of repetition.''

The court said Wiese - who has also played for Germany- was entitled to use freedom of expression and that he had not infringed on Lehmann's personal rights.

The 29-year-old Wiese made the remark, among others, after Lehmann criticized the Werder goalkeeper while commentating on a Champions League game between Werder Bremen and Tottenham Hotspur in September 2010.

The 41-year-old Lehmann played for Stuttgart, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Schalke.