Regional league soccer club Chemie Leipzig will not accept the ban imposed on player Julian Weigel by the sports court of the North-East German Football Association (NOFV) and will appeal the decision. Weigel had physically assaulted home supporters after the goalless draw at Hallescher FC on 12 September and was banned for five matches for his behavior.
"The NOFV is sending a fatal signal with this scandalous verdict and effectively declaring players fair game," read a Leipzig press release. The club will lodge an appeal as soon as the verdict is available in writing.
The NOFV sports court justified the drastic punishment by stating that Weigel had taken a run-up of several meters to stop the HFC supporters. As a result, the player had contributed to the altercation, said NOFV judge Steffen Tänzer in his statement on Tuesday evening. Tänzer was in court the following day and was initially unavailable for comment.
