MUNICH: Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer was on Thursday hit with a two-game ban in the German Cup after receiving the first red card in his 866-game career.
Neuer was sent off in the 17th minute of the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 as the 38-year-old goalkeeper rushed out of his goal and collided with an advancing Jeremie Frimpong.
With Bayern reduced to 10 men, Leverkusen won 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Nathan Tella.
A German FA (DFB) disciplinary committee said Thursday a “two-match ban” was the usual penalty for “preventing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity for a foul without a goal being scored.”
The 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper apologized to his teammates for the red card on social media after the defeat.
With Bayern out of the competition, Neuer would not serve the ban until next season’s German Cup or Super Cup.
Neuer’s contract at Bayern expires at the end of the current season, meaning he would avoid the ban should he retire or leave German football.
Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red
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Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red
- A German FA (DFB) disciplinary committee said Thursday a “two-match ban” was the usual penalty
- With Bayern out of the competition, Neuer would not serve the ban until next season’s German Cup or Super Cup
FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign welcomes Palestinian student
- Ghada Ashour, 24, who grew up in Gaza, becomes fifth scholar selected for FIA’s flagship scholarship initiative
DUBAI: The FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign has welcomed Ghada Ashour, a 24-year-old student from Palestine, to its flagship scholarship program, created to empower the next generation of researchers in the fight against online abuse in sport.
Ashour grew up in Gaza where she had been studying remotely until gaining a place on the UAOA scholarship, which brought her to Dublin City University, Ireland.
Becoming the fifth scholar to join the program, she was selected based on her interests in social media, and passion for advancing insights in this area for the benefit of sportspeople.
Launched in 2023, the program offers talented students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds the chance to engage in research on the impact, prevalence, and prevention of online abuse in sport.
Funded by the FIA Foundation, the UAOA scholars have been selected to undertake research dedicated to positive social change.
Ashour’s thesis, which will be printed in English and Arabic, will focus specifically on the relationship between athlete activism and online abuse.
Athletes increasingly speak out on war, conflict, and social and environmental issues. Although the attention such athletes bring can be positive, research indicates it can lead to significant abuse.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, founder of the UAOA campaign, said: “The FIA is committed to extending opportunities across the world while inspiring and developing the next generation.
“Education lies at the core of this mission, and I am pleased to welcome Ghada as the latest student in the UAOA Scholarship Programme.
“Her experience and research will help broaden the international perspective on this critical issue. This pioneering research program will help ensure we safeguard the future of sport for generations to come.”
Ashour said she was “truly grateful” to the FIA leader: “It is a dream come true to study the subject I am passionate about at a leading institution in this field.
“I am so excited to advance the field of research in online abuse in sport and to contribute to this prevalent topic which is impacting so many people’s lives on a daily basis.”
The UAOA’s 2025 Barometer Report found that 75 percent of sports federations report continued threats against competitors and their families, and that 90 percent believe abuse could force athletes to leave their sport.
Dublin City University is a leading academic institution in the study of online abuse.
Each scholar is fully funded and mentored by leading experts in the field. They are able to attend UAOA events, where they can share their findings with a global audience of policymakers, sports federations, and digital platforms.
The inaugural cohort of four UAOA scholars included participants from Italy, South Africa, the UK, and Mexico.
