Hitzfeld set for ban after making inappropriate gesture in Switzerland draw
The iconic coach is to come under investigation for indecent behaviour against his Norwegian counterpart, with Rene Girard's case serving as a precedent for any ruling
Oct 14, 2012 12:05:00 AM
By SW Lim
The former Bayern Munich tactician was frustrated after witnessing his team squander their lead in their World Cup qualfying encounter, a match which saw several refereeing decisions go against them.
"There were a lot of emotions during the game," Hitzfeld rued to Swiss publication Blick. "I'm sorry for the gesture. I was just p****d off at not being able to take home three points.
"It's always difficult to play against twelve men [in direct reference to Spanish referee Fernandez Borbalan]."
It is still unclear whether Uefa will take a symphathetic stance towards Hitzfeld's apology for his misdemeanour however, after it meted out a ban on Montpellier coach Rene Girard for a likewise action the previous week.
Then, Girard has claimed Schalke coach Huub Stevens had provoked a response, during either side's 2-2 Champions League stalemate.
A suspension of any length would result in the 63-year-old missing Tuesday's upcoming fixture away to Iceland.