SV Werder Bremen have been successful in their appeal of Marco Friedl’s match ban. The DFB’s sporting tribunal had handed Friedl a two-match ban following his red card against SC Freiburg. Werder then lodged an appeal to the DFB. After the written procedure, the DFB’s sporting tribunal reduced the ban to just one game and thus upheld Werder’s appeal. With this reduction to the ban, Marco Friedl will be available to play again against FC Schalke 04 on Saturday evening.
In their re-evaluation of the incident, the sporting tribunal declared, after among other things a telephone hearing from Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch, that there was alternating use of arms from both players which had its origins in Michael Gregoritsch’s hold of Marco Friedl’s shoulder. Therefore, a reduction was possible under mitigating circumstances as Friedl had been put in an unusual braking situation.
“We’re happy that the tribunal has come to this decision and could follow our arguments. Michael Gregoritsch’s behaviour in all of this must be highlighted. He has demonstrated fair play values with his statements,” explained Clemens Fritz, head of scouting and personnel.
