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Aryan Suraj Chadha

Gesture could land Union Berlin coach in trouble after being sent off for kicking paper ball onto field in seven-goal thriller

Union Berlin coach Steffen Baumgart faces a nervous wait after being caught making a middle finger gesture during a chaotic 4-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite already being sent off for kicking a paper ball onto the pitch, the DFB Sports Court could now hand him a longer ban for the separate, initially unseen incident.

  • Union Berlin coach in trouble?

    Baumgart could face further disciplinary action after being caught on camera making an obscene gesture during his side's chaotic 4-3 Bundesliga victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. According to a report from Sport1, the DFB Sports Court may intervene despite the coach already being sent off for a separate incident.

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    Burke hat-trick seals dramatic win for Union

    The controversy overshadowed a dramatic win for Union, secured by a hat-trick from forward Oliver Burke. In a fiery conclusion to the seven-goal thriller, Baumgart was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute by referee Sven Jablonski for kicking a paper ball onto the pitch while protesting a decision. The hard-fought victory lifts Union to 10th place in the Bundesliga table.

  • 'It didn't go in any direction' - What Baumgart said

    The more serious incident, which went unpunished by the on-field officials, occurred after Frankfurt were awarded a late penalty following a VAR review. TV cameras captured Baumgart raising his middle finger in apparent frustration at the decision. At the post-match press conference, the coach played down the gesture, stating: "I was looking into the void, it didn't go in any direction, so it was all good. That was an emotion I had because of the video evidence and the previous situation."

  • DFB Sports Court to investigate?

    While the referee's team missed the gesture, the DFB Sports Court has the power to investigate cases of serious misconduct retrospectively. It is expected that Baumgart will be asked to provide a formal statement on the matter before a verdict is reached. A decision on whether to impose a further ban, on top of the automatic suspension for his red card, could be made as early as Monday.

  • 1. FC Union Berlin v TSG Hoffenheim - BundesligaGetty Images Sport

    What next for Baumgart and Union Berlin?

    Baumgart is now guaranteed to serve at least a one-match touchline ban for his dismissal. The coach and club face an anxious wait for the DFB's verdict, which could see him suspended for a longer period depending on their findings. For the team, the focus will be on building on their crucial victory as they prepare for their next league match without their coach on the sidelines.