Berlin, Feb 25 (IANS) Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt has been penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct, the club has confirmed in an official statement.
The disciplinary committee of the German Football Association (DFB) penalised Schmidt with a five-game ban and a 20,000 Euros fine on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.
Schmidt refused to leave the pitch during Sunday’s 1-0 loss to last season’s Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund, forcing referee Felix Zwayer to suspend the game for 10 minutes until the argument was resolved.
The 48-year-old coach heavily complained about a free kick, which led to Dortmund taking a 1-0 lead in the 68th minute. As a result, referee Zwayer asked Schmidt several times to leave the pitch.
Schmidt definitely won’t be at the sideline for the next three games. In case he will be penalized again for unsportsmanlike conduct, he will receive another two-game ban.
The Leverkusen coach is not permitted in the stadiums catacombs as well as in the technical area 30 minutes before and after the matches.
To make things worse for Bayer Leverkusen, sporting director Rudi Voeller, who railed against the referee in an interview after the game, has also been penalised with a 10,000 Euros fine.
Voeller and Schmidt have agreed to the verdict of the disciplinary committee.
Bayer Leverkusen, who sit currently on 4th place of the Bundesliga standings, encounter Sporting Clube de Portugal in UEFA Europa League’ s second leg of the last 32 on Thursday.
