Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram has been banned for five games after spitting at Hoffenheim defender Stefan Posch.
The France international was sent off after an altercation that followed a challenge with Posch in Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat. Referee Frank Willenborg initially brandished a yellow card to Thuram, but altered his decision and sent the 23-year-old off after consulting the VAR.
Marcus Thuram Punished for Spitting Incident
Five-Game Ban With Suspended Sixth
The German Football Association (DFB) say Thuram will directly serve a five-game suspension, with a conditional sixth match suspended until December 21, 2021.
Thuram has also been fined €40,000 (£36,360) by the DFB, alongside being internally docked a month’s wages by Gladbach.
The ban will cover fixtures held in both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. The 23-year-old will be unavailable for Tuesday’s cup clash at Elversberg and league fixtures against Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart and Werder Bremen.
Crucially, Thuram will be available to feature in Gladbach’s Champions League last 16 encounter with Manchester City.
Apologetic of His Mistake
The incident serves as a dent in Gladbach’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League for the second season running. The home defeat to Hoffenheim leaves Marco Rose’s side in eighth and six points off the top four.
Thuram took to social media to apologise for his actions, writing: “Today something took place that is not in my character and must never happen. I reacted to an opponent in a wrong way and something occurred accidentally and not intentionally.”
“I apologise to everyone, to Stefan Posch, to my opponents, to my teammates, to my family and to all those who saw my reaction,” Thuram added. “Of course, I accept all of the consequences of my gesture.”
Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl came to the defence of Thuram following the incident, stating it out-of-character from the Frenchman.
He said: “We have known Marcus for almost two years, we know his background and his family. Yesterday’s actions do not represent that.
“He told me during a dispute with Stefan Posch, he unintentionally spat after cursing several times in French in the heat of the moment,” Eberl continued. “He knows this doesn’t change anything and the pictures speak for themselves, and the sending off was the right call. I believe Marcus because I have come to know him as a reflective person with a great demeanour.
“Marcus apologised to Stefan Posch, Hoffenheim, his teammates, the coaching staff and the Gladbach fans. I would like to do this again explicitly on behalf of Borussia Mönchengladbach.”
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