<
>

Duisburg midfielder Baris Ozbeck given 12-match ban for rampage

Duisburg midfielder Baris Ozbek has been given a 12-match ban for "two separate violent conducts" in the win at Sportfreunde Lotte in Germany's third tier at the weekend.

Ozbek, 30, was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Lotte winger Kevin Pires-Rodrigues after 26 minutes.

The former Galatasaray player then hit out at four opponents as he left the pitch.

On Wednesday, the German FA (DFB) said Ozbek had been hit with a 12-match suspension, with four of those on a 10-month probation.

It said he was fined for "two separate violent conducts," with judge Stephan Oberholz calling the punishment "appropriate" and saying the incident exceeded all previous cases dealt with by the DFB.

Ozbek was escorted to the dressing room by members of Duisburg's staff and later apologised, saying: "Whatever led to it in Lotte, it should never happen to me again."

In a TV interview, the Germany-born Turk said abuse based on his ancestry had been hurled at him as he walked off.

"It's been used more often again in Germany these days," he added. "You can say whatever you want against me as a person, but not against my nationality."

On Tuesday, Duisburg said Ozbek had been fined, with sporting director Ivo Grlic saying his behaviour was "just not acceptable in a MSV jersey."

He told the club's official website: "I am convinced it will not happen again. And that's the end of the story."