Leverkusen coach Schmidt banned for at least 3 matches

Posted February 24, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt has been banned from the touchline for at least three matches because he refused to adhere to being sent off in a loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga last weekend.

A German football federation tribunal on Wednesday imposed the ban for "repeated unsportsmanlike behavior." Schmidt has to serve the three-match ban immediately, and another ban of two matches is suspended.

Schmidt also was fined 20,000 euros ($22,000).

Referee Felix Zwayer sent off Schmidt on Sunday after he complained vociferously over the positioning of a free kick in the buildup to Dortmund's winning goal. Schmidt refused to go, and Zwayer walked off himself. The game was interrupted for eight minutes.

Schmidt said later he regretted his actions, adding he had wanted an "explanation."

Referee Felix Zwayer leaves the pitch in front of Leverkusen head coach Roger Schmidt, right, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund in Leverkusen, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016. Leverkusen was defeated by Dortmund with a controversial 0-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) The Associated Press

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