German Football Association Reduces Leon Balogun Ban After Appeal

Leon Balogun will be available for selection for Mainz in their final Bundesliga game of the season against Hertha BSC on May 14 after the German Football Association (DFB) reduced his ban to two matches.

The Super Eagles stopper was initially suspended for three games after video evidence showed that he hit his right knee in the stomach of Carlos Zambrano against Eintracht Frankfurt but has been given a lighter sentence by the DFB following an appeal by Mainz.

Balogun has also been fined 10,000 euros on top of the two-game ban and this has been accepted by the player and his club.

Carlos Zambrano was invited to testify and confirmed that he was not injured by the Nigeria international though he was assaulted.

In 23 outings this season, Leon Balogun has been yellow - carded four times, against Werder Bremen, Schalke 04, Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich.

Igho Kingsley