Union Berlin boss banned after Sane stoush
Union Berlin boss Nenad Bjelica has been handed a three-match stadium ban after pushing Bayern Munich midfielder Leroy Sane in the face.
The Croatian has also been fined €25,000 ($41,000) for “unsportsmanlike conduct” by the sports court of the German Football Association after an incident during a 1-0 Bundesliga defeat to the champion at Allianz Arena.
A DFB statement confirmed the sanctions and added: “Bjelica behaved in an unsportsmanlike manner towards Munich player Leroy Sane and, among other things, grabbed his face, whereupon the referee, Frank Willenborg, showed the red card.
“The coach and his club have agreed to the judgment and the judgment is therefore legally binding.”
Bjelica thrust a hand into former Manchester City player Sane’s face as the pair grappled for the ball after it had gone out of play in front of the Union dugout, prompting Willenborg to send him to the stands.
The ban will cover this weekend's home clash with Darmstadt and next month’s trips to RB Leipzig and Mainz.
The terms of the penalty mean Bjelica cannot be inside the stadium from 30 minutes before a game until 30 minutes afterwards and is not allowed to have direct or indirect contact with his team.
