Neuer receives two-game German Cup ban after first red card of career

MUNICH: Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has been handed a two-game suspension in the German Cup following his red card for “unsportsmanlike conduct” in Tuesday’s match against Bayer Leverkusen, the German Football Federation (DFB) announced on Thursday.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper, widely regarded as one of the finest of his generation, received the first red card of his nearly two-decade-long career. The incident occurred in the 17th minute when Neuer left his line and knocked down Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, preventing a clear scoring opportunity. Referee Harm Osmers promptly sent Neuer off, and Bayern went on to lose the match 1-0.

The DFB explained the decision in a statement:
“The player is also banned from all of his club’s other cup matches until the ban expires. According to established DFB case law, the prevention of an obvious scoring chance by a non-serious foul without subsequent scoring usually entails a two-match suspension.”

Since Bayern Munich are already out of the German Cup this season, Neuer’s suspension will carry over to next season’s domestic cup matches.(Reuters)