GERMAN defender Nico Schulz has been accused of kicking his pregnant ex girlfriend in the stomach.
Schulz, 29, who plays as a left back for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, is facing a criminal complaint over domestic violence.
The player – who has 12 caps and two goals for the German national team – denied the allegations.
Dortmund confirmed the club is aware of the "shocking" reports and said they have spoken to Schulz.
Schulz however willnot be suspended – but the side said it reserves the right to take action "at any time" when they "objectively know more".
It is alleged the footballer assaulted his former partner in 2020 while she was pregnant with his daughter in a bid to "terminate the pregnancy", reports Bild.
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Schulz "kicked his girlfriend in the stomach with his shoed foot"just two weeks before she was due to give birth, according to the allegations.
German media published text messages sent between Schulz and his partner in which she said: "You hit me when I was naked in my own apartment".
Her lawyer claims she kicked her in the stomach in "an attempted termination of pregnancy in a particularly serious case".
The Dortmund State Prosecutor office has opened an investigation.
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Cops have also raided Schulz's house to secure evidence as part of the investigation.
Dortmund issued a statement on Sunday afternoon saying they only became aware of the "extremely serious and shocking" allegations through media reports.
Dortmund said they had not yet taken disciplinary actions against the player as the situation was "extremely unclear".
Pictures published in German media showed Schulz leaving Dortmund training early on Sunday afternoon.
According to the statement, Schulz denies the claims, telling Dortmund "that he will defend himself against these allegations with the help of a lawyer and that he will also maintain his innocence".
Schulz was not included in Dortmund's squad for their 1-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Coach Edin Terzic previously told the wing back he was not part of his plans this season for footballing reasons.
Bild reports Schulz faces up to 10 years in prison under German law if convicted of the charges.
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