Papy Djilobodji has been condemned to watching the next three Werder games from the stands. The centre back is suspended for the trip to Dortmund and the two following home games against Augsburg and Wolfsburg. “The suspension is tough for me and for the whole team, but I have to accept it. That kind of gesture has no place on the football pitch and it was totally uncalled for. It should not have happened,” Djilobodji told WERDER.DE.
It has been an emotional week for the 27-year-old. The open discussion concerning his gesture in the home game against 1. FSV Mainz 05, along with the subsequent DFB sports tribunal hearing was quite overwhelming. With all the commotion behind him, Djilobodji came forward and said: "I would like to apologise to all the fans as well as the team and the coaching staff. I came here to help Werder out on the pitch in a difficult situation. That won’t be possible in the next few weeks due to my suspension and my fifth yellow card. For this, I am very sorry."
Djilobodji will only be available again for the cup semi-final against Bayern München and the following Northern derby. "I hope I will be able to continue with my current form and do my bit to help Werder stay in the Bundesliga." Until then, the defender has no doubt; the team will do their job well without him. "I will support the lads in training, motivate them and help them as much as I can."
