Nuremburg striker Jan Koller has denied he spat at Hannover's Christian Schulz at the end of Saturday's Bundesliga clash.

The German FA have already opened an investigation into the incident, although Koller claims his spittle was not intentionally directed at Schulz and was merely a by-product of shouting during an altercation with Altin Lala.

Koller told Sport: "It was an exchange of words. I had slobber in my mouth and as I was speaking quickly, it flew out of my mouth.

"It was in a circle of players so it seemed like it was heading towards Schulz.

"If they punish me for this, then my career is over. I did not intend to spit at anyone, it simply just flew out."

The incident happened at the end of the match - which Hannover won 2-1 - as Koller became embroiled in a scuffle with Lala at a corner kick. As more players entered into the fray, Koller's spit was caught by television cameras heading in the direction of Schulz.

But according to Hannover player Jiri Stajner, Schulz himself was unaware of the controversy.

"He [Schulz] came to the dressing room and said he knew nothing," Stajner said. "We told him it is in the papers but he said he had been hit by nothing."

The German FA disciplinary committee are set to review the evidence on Monday.

Vasek Kadlec / Eurosport