Nur die Raute
·24. April 2026
HSV protest Otele ban: final DFB verdict delivered!

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Yahoo sportsNur die Raute
·24. April 2026

HSV’s appeal against Philip Otele’s suspension was unsuccessful. The DFB stuck to its original decision.
As a result, the attacking player will in all likelihood miss the next two league matches. “We assume reckless conduct by player Otele and therefore serious foul play,” said the responsible DFB judge Oberholz in the reasoning of the Frankfurt-based sports court’s ruling (via Abendblatt). “Player Otele recognized the danger resulting from his challenge at high speed and with great momentum. In doing so, he accepted the risk of endangering his opponent. The risk inherent in his challenge materialized here and even led to an injury,” he continued.
The fouled Bremen player Cameron Puertas had to receive treatment after the unfortunate challenge, but returned to the pitch and even went on to make it 3–1. The sports court also stated regarding Otele that there had been no sign “that he had attempted to slow down to any significant degree or jump over the Bremen player’s leg.”

Photo: IMAGO
Referee Dr. Florian Exner, who appeared somewhat overwhelmed especially in the second half, did not notice the foul at first. However, after being alerted by the video assistant, he reviewed it again on the monitor and then showed the red card. In an interview with Sky, he himself admitted that there was room for debate: “I can understand if people say it’s not the clearest red card in the world. To be honest, that has to be said as well.”
HSV, who had traveled to Frankfurt with sporting director Claus Costa and Philipp Winter, Director of Organization and Legal Affairs, referred to that statement in its argument before the DFB sports court, but did not achieve the desired result. An appeal against the ruling can be lodged with the DFB Federal Court. Whether the club, which has since confirmed the ruling will make use of that option remains unclear. If not, Otele will have to sit out both against Hoffenheim and in Frankfurt.
Photo: Getty Images
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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