Werder Bremen's Aron Johannsson has said referee Tobias Stieler misunderstood him for his sending off in the 80th minute in the 4-1 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach.
"I shouted at him," Johannsson, who could miss up to three matches, said, adding that he saw one of the opponents play the ball with his hand.
"I said: 'It's a f---ing handball, referee!'" But Stieler understood it as "F--- you, referee!" according to Johannsson.
Johannsson added that he later tried to talk to Stieler and explain his version of the events, but "he didn't listen to me."
He could be suspended for the next couple of matches, when interim coach Alexander Nouri will be in charge following Viktor Skripnik's departure.
The club, who are still without a point and are bottom of the table, take on Mainz on Wednesday and then host northern rivals Wolfsburg at the Weserstadion on Saturday.