Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer absent from DFB Cup - who else is unavailable?
In the upcoming rounds of the DFB-Pokal, several teams will be missing key players due to suspensions from prior cup matches. Here's a look at some of the notable absences:
Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich's first-choice goalkeeper, will be sidelined for the first two rounds of the competition. Neuer's suspension stems from a professional foul he committed in the eighth-final against Bayer Leverkusen last December, resulting in a two-game ban. Despite appealing the decision, Neuer's appeal was unsuccessful.
Arthur Theate of Eintracht Frankfurt will also miss his team's first-round game against Oberliga side FV Engers. Theate was shown a yellow-red card in a Bundesliga game against Union Berlin just a few days before his Pokal red card. As a result, he will serve a two-game suspension in the DFB-Pokal.
Noel Futkeu, currently playing for Greuther Fürth, will face BW Lohne in the third round of the cup on Sunday. However, Futkeu must do so without his services, as he was sent off on his professional debut for kicking Marcel Gaus from behind.
Rasim Bulic, who now plays for MSV Duisburg, was suspended for four DFB-Pokal games due to a rough challenge. Unfortunately for Bulic, his team did not qualify for the DFB-Pokal this year, so he will have to wait to serve out his suspension. It's unclear when he will serve the remaining games of his ban.
Deoyovaisio Zeefuik was sent off for headbutting Timo Hübers in a game against 1. FC Köln. As a result, Zeefuik has been suspended for three DFB-Pokal games. Zeefuik's suspension starts with Hertha BSC's first-round game against Preußen Münster on Monday.
It's worth noting that teams do have players injured or out for other reasons, but suspension-specific data is not always listed in the main source of player statuses. Additionally, there are reports of Bayern players serving suspensions affecting their DFB-Pokal availability, including at least one player carrying over a suspension despite switching clubs.
In other news, Bayern Munich is scheduled to play VfB Stuttgart in the Supercup instead of the first round of the DFB-Pokal. If Bayern advances to the second round of the DFB-Pokal, Neuer will still be suspended, as his ban extends into that round.
Coaching suspensions also occur, with Mainz coach Bo Henriksen banned for one German Cup game. However, this pertains to a coach suspension, not a player suspension.
Bulic is currently playing for MSV Duisburg but did not qualify for the DFB-Pokal this year. It's unclear when Bulic will serve the remaining three games of his suspension.
In summary, suspensions from prior cup matches due to second yellow or direct red cards do result in match bans in the DFB-Pokal. Specific known suspended players are not listed in these sources beyond general allusions to Bayern players facing key absences. Public injury/suspension lists mostly cover injuries or general availability, not explicitly cup suspensions.
The European institutions, including the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament, might express their interest in the ongoing suspensions affecting football players in German leagues, particularly in the DFB-Pokal. The European leagues could view such instances as a significant impact on the competitive balance of the tournament.
Moreover, they might debate the necessity for clearer suspension records to be made available to all parties involved, so teams can better prepare for upcoming matches and adhere to the rules without ambiguity.
