Borussia Dortmund's Sebastian Kehl was suspended for five matches Tuesday, picking up his second lengthy ban this season and deepening a crisis at his injury-depleted club.
Dortmund's management said it will appeal the decision by German soccer authorities, which punished the defender for attempting to kick an opponent at Bochum on Saturday.
The loss of Kehl -- who already served a six-match ban this season -- comes as Dortmund struggles to cope with injuries to 12 players, including a host of starters like Marcio Amoroso and Christoph Metzelder.
"The penalty is pretty stiff, even if he really did damage himself, his team and the side with his red card," Dortmund sports manager Michael Zorc said.
German soccer authorities also leveled a two-match suspension and US$8,800 fine on Hertha Berlin coach Huub Stevens, who traded punches and insulted Leverkusen's Ulf Kirsten after a loss a week ago.
Like Kehl, Stevens will be allowed to take part in this week's German Cup matches. In Steven's case, the cup match will decide his future -- Berlin has given the Dutchman an ultimatum to win against Rostock or lose his job.
Kehl's latest suspension means that Dortmund, because of all the injuries, will only be able to call amateur players off the bench during a match, not counting reserve 'keeper Guillaume Warmuz.
"It's a very difficult situation," Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer said. The club said it was considering fining the midfielder.
Kehl's habit of getting himself suspended has robbed Dortmund of his services most of a troubled season. One regular after another has fallen to injuries, including midfielder Otto Addo, whose career has probably been ended by torn ligaments.
During the preseason League Cup Kehl shoved a referee, getting himself a six-match suspension. He vowed to better himself afterwards and emerged as a team leader -- at least until the latest incident.
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