Kruse kicked off Germany squad for questionable behavior

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Germany coach Joachim Loew has kicked Wolfsburg forward Max Kruse off his squad following two recent off-field incidents.

Kruse lost a large amount of cash in a Berlin taxi in October, then was involved in an incident in a Berlin club while celebrating his 28th birthday on Saturday.

In a statement from the German football federation, Loew is quoted as saying that Kruse had repeatedly acted unprofessionally.

Kruse will miss Germany's friendlies with England on Saturday and with Italy three days later, but he could also be excluded from the European Championship in France.

Kruse already had been left off the World Cup squad when Germany won the title two years ago in Brazil, again because of off-field incidents.