The DFB have suspended Hertha Berlin midfielder Levan Kobiashvili for one year for punching referee Wolfgang Stark following the promotion/relegation playoff with Fortuna Düsseldorf. Three other players from Hertha Berlin and one from Fortuna Düsseldorf also face bans.
Levan Kobiashvili Banned For One Year, Four Others Also Banned
The DFB bans Kobiashvili for one year for striking a referee.
The ban takes place retroactively from May 16, 2012 through May 16, 2013. Kobiashvili, 34, followed Stark off of the pitch after the final whistle and punched him in the back of the head. Stark only managed to stay on his feet by grabbing onto a handrail.
Hertha’s Christian Lell faces a six match ban for insulting the referee and spitting in the face of Düsseldorf defender Assani Lukimya-Mulongoti. Thomas Kraft (5 matches) and Andre Mijatovic (4 matches) have also been suspended for insulting the referee.
Düsseldorf’s Andreas Lambertz has been fined €5000 and banned for two matches after holding a flare in the air following the victory.
The players have one day to appeal these decisions.
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