Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has been handed a match ban and fined €25,000 for an offensive gesture during the German Super Cup.
Bonface, who scored his team’s first of two goals in their win, allegedly showed the players his left middle finger as he ran past them immediately after the final whistle of the match.
It means the 23-year-old will miss a German Cup match against Carl Zeiss Jena on Saturday but will be available for Bayer Leverkusen opening Bundesliga match of the new season Friday against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Referee Tobias Stieler stated that he did not see this incident, and that was why the disciplinary committee had to investigate and bring charges retrospectively.
Both the player and his club have agreed to the ruling, which means it is legally binding.