Bayer Leverkusen striker Boniface banned for one game, fined N43.8m for middle finger gesture

According to the official website of the German Football Association, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has been banned for one DFB Cup match after charges were brought by the DFB Control Committee for unsportsmanlike conduct after the Supercup clash between Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart last Saturday.

The Nigeria international has been punished for showing the Stuttgart players his outstretched left middle finger as he ran past them immediately after the final whistle. 

The  DFB Control Committee decided to conduct an investigation after match referee Tobias Stieler stated that he had not seen Boniface raise his middle finger in the direction of the VfB Stuttgart players.

Boniface is available for selection on Friday evening when defending champions Bayer Leverkusen take on Borussia Mönchengladbach in their Bundesliga opener as the suspension applies only to the DFB Cup.

In addition to the one-match suspension, the Super Eagles star has been fined 25,000 euros (approximately N43.8 million in Nigerian currency).

Bayer Leverkusen have accepted the judgment in good faith, meaning it is legally binding. 

In the Supercup clash, Boniface opened the scoring for Bayer Leverkusen in the 11th minute but was replaced by Jonathan Tah in the 41st minute after Martin Terrier was shown a red card.

He was booked for dissent while on the bench in the 80th minute, after a VAR decision went against Bayer Leverkusen. 

Boniface had a breakout 2023-2024 campaign, registering 31 goal involvements (21 goals, 10 assists) in 34 all-competition appearances as Bayer Leverkusen won the domestic double.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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