HSV appeal successful? DFB announces Otele ban! | OneFootball

HSV has failed with its appeal: As the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Tuesday, Philip Otele has been suspended for two matches.

This means the left winger will miss the games against TSG Hoffenheim (25/04) and Eintracht Frankfurt (02/05). The DFB justified the decision by citing “rough play against an opponent.” Despite a review hearing, which the Hamburger Abendblatt had already reported on Monday, the sports court stuck to that assessment.

HSV had hoped to reduce the punishment after doubts had already been raised beforehand about whether it was proportionate. Referee Florian Exner himself described it as a harsh decision after the North derby against Werder Bremen (1:3).

HSV boss Eric Huwer in particular then voiced fairly clear criticism and spoke of inconsistent standards. “When it comes to the red card against Otele, suddenly there is talk of a point of impact, which we were not allowed to use again in Freiburg in the duel between Torunarigha and Manzambi because it was supposedly a football-typical movement,” he said, before adding: “At the end of the day, these are many terminological discrepancies that we do not agree with.”

Photo: IMAGO

HSV officials also suspended

But the DFB was not swayed. The decision stands, and the appeal had no effect. In the association’s official press release, HSV’s appeal is not mentioned at all so far.

Instead, parts of the coaching staff have also been sanctioned alongside Otele. Assistant coach Loic Fave and physiotherapist Tim Roussis were each handed a one-match touchline ban after being sent off in Bremen. According to the DFB, both had “behaved unsportingly.”

Nur die Raute – All the news about HSV

For HSV, Otele’s suspension in particular comes at the worst possible time. At the decisive stage of the season, coach Merlin Polzin is now without another attacking option. With Jean-Luc Dompé (foot injury + illness) and Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit (syndesmosis ligament tear), the Rothosen had recently already been without two other players on the left wing. While a Dompé comeback is at least in sight, Røssing-Lelesiit will also miss the upcoming matches – just like Otele.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.