The DFB disciplinary board have handed out a two-match ban as well as a 15,000 Euro fine to Papy Djilobodji. It followed Werder's claim that the provocative element of the player's gesture was not as severe as in the case of Deniz Naki in 2009, who received a three-match ban.
The player and SV Werder Bremen will not appeal the punishment and accept the decision. Papy Djilobodji will therefore be suspended for the games against Dortmund and Augsburg, before also missing the game against VfL Wolfsburg as a result of his fifth yellow card.
"Papy's suspension hits us hard and is obviously a serious disadvantage for us in the battle to stay up. We won't bemoan the situation, however. We'll be professional about it. We've accepted the decision to bring some closure to the issue and to allow us to focus on what happens on the pitch. We also want to protect our player, who has been excessively vilified in the media for a thoughtless gesture. The current tendency to respond in an exaggerated manner to the actions of young people is something we should all think about," said Thomas Eichin.
